Why Work With Us?

Pillow Headstone Dealer
in NJ

Hand-carved headstones by Pillow Headstone Guide — 80+ years in Morris County, NJ.

Headstone Specialists — Single, double & flat headstones
Companion Headstones — Side-by-side memorial pairs
Veteran Headstones — VA-compatible military headstones
Custom Granite Carving — Hand-carved in Morris County
Photo-Etched Portraits — High-contrast relief portraits
Headstone Restoration — Restore aged & weathered stone
Cemetery Compliance — Every headstone meets cemetery rules
Foundation Installation — Below frost-line, level-set
American-Made Granite — Domestic & select imported stone
Over 80 Years in NJ — Family-owned since 1945
All 14 NJ Counties — Statewide installation
Multilingual Service — English · Russian · Polish
Call (201) 297-4344Get a Free Consultation
Serving all of New Jersey · English, Russian, Polish
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 1

Headstones

Over 80 Years in NJ

Ready When You Are

Talk to a Pillow Headstone Guide craftsman today.

Call, email, schedule a free quote, or visit the showroom in person. Real people answer the phone Monday through Saturday.

Call (201) 297-4344Email UsSchedule a Free QuoteVisit Our Showroom
Service Area

Serving All 14 NJ Counties

Pillow Headstone Guide serves families choosing pillow headstones throughout all 14 New Jersey counties. From our Morris County headquarters, we deliver and install memorials in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. Our team coordinates with each cemetery's office to confirm that pillow-style dimensions and installation methods meet local requirements before any stone is fabricated.

  • Morris
  • Bergen
  • Essex
  • Passaic
  • Hudson
  • Union
  • Sussex
  • Warren
  • Hunterdon
  • Somerset
  • Middlesex
  • Mercer
  • Monmouth
  • Ocean
Cemetery Guide

Cemetery Compliance Guide

Cemetery Regulations

Pillow headstones occupy a category between flat and upright markers in most NJ cemetery rule books. Some cemeteries permit them only in certain sections; others specify maximum height or base dimensions for pillow-style stones. Pillow Headstone Guide reviews the receiving cemetery's current regulations before beginning any fabrication, confirming that the intended pillow design will be accepted without modification.

Foundation Requirements

Because pillow headstones have a low profile and a curved upper surface, their center of gravity is lower than upright stones, but proper foundation work remains essential. Pillow Headstone Guide's installation crew prepares or inspects concrete foundations to cemetery specifications, ensuring the stone sits level and flush at the intended angle. NJ's freeze-thaw seasons make sound foundation depth a requirement, not an option.

Religious Cemetery Considerations

Pillow headstones are found across faith communities — they appear in Catholic, Protestant, and non-denominational sections with equal frequency. Orthodox communities sometimes favor the rounded form for its softer, traditional character. Pillow Headstone Guide's team is experienced in incorporating religious symbols into pillow-style designs, from simple crosses engraved on the curved face to more detailed iconography on the rectangular front panel.

Our Collection

Our Headstones Collection

Pillow Headstone

The pillow headstone takes its name from the characteristic shape: a rectangular base panel rising to a rounded, cushion-like top. That rounded crown distinguishes the pillow style from the flat-top tablet and the angled face of the slant marker. Inscriptions are typically placed on the front face below the rounded top, which is often polished or carved with a light decorative motif — a flower spray, a cross, a dove. American-made granite is Pillow Headstone Guide's material of choice for pillow headstones because the stone holds both the rounded profile and the engraved details with lasting fidelity. Granite colors most requested include Classic Black, Mountain Gray, and Balmoral Red. The pillow format is available as a single memorial or as part of a companion configuration, with mirrored or complementary inscriptions on matching stones. Pillow Headstone Guide's Morris County artisans hand-carve every detail — the profile curve, the inscription, and any decorative relief — using techniques refined over 80+ years of crafting New Jersey headstones.

Granite Options

Pillow headstones are produced in any granite color Pillow Headstone Guide carries. Families often choose Classic Black for strong contrast with polished-face engravings, or Mountain Gray for a more understated look that ages gracefully. Warmer stones like Balmoral Red can lend a distinctive character to the pillow form. All granite is American-made, and families receive physical samples to review before finalizing their color choice.

Custom Design Process

Personalization on a pillow headstone focuses on the curved crown and the front face. The crown may be left plain polished or carved with a symbol, scene, or inscription. The front face carries the primary inscription — name, dates, and epitaph — along with any requested imagery. Pillow Headstone Guide provides a scaled proof for family review before carving begins.

Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 2
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 3
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 4
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 5
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 6
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 7
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 8
Granite Pillow Headstone hand-carved by Pillow Headstone Guide in NJ — image 9
Headstones process
Our Process

Our Hand-Carving Process

Creating a pillow headstone at Pillow Headstone Guide involves six steps from first conversation to cemetery placement. Step one is consultation: a specialist discusses pillow style options, granite colors, and inscription preferences alongside the emotional meaning behind the choice. Step two is cemetery verification: we confirm with the receiving cemetery that the planned dimensions and style are accepted in the intended section. Step three is material selection: granite color, finish type, and whether the memorial will stand alone or as part of a companion configuration. Step four is design drafting: Morris County artisans prepare a scaled proof of the front face and crown, showing the full inscription layout and any decorative carving. Step five is hand-carving: once the family approves the proof in writing, craftsmen shape the American-made granite — rounding the crown profile with precision, then engraving the front face and any relief details with technique accumulated over 80+ years in our workshop. Step six is installation: Pillow Headstone Guide's crew delivers, prepares the foundation, and sets the finished pillow headstone to cemetery specification.

Headstones memorial installed in NJ
Voices

What Families Say

New Jersey families have entrusted us with their memorials for three generations.

“The pillow shape reminded us of the tenderness she brought to everything she did. Pillow Headstone Guide captured that in the stone — the crown carving was exactly what we had pictured.” — Anna, Hunterdon County NJ
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not see your question here, call us.

How long does it take to design and install a headstones?

From initial consultation to cemetery installation, most headstones are completed within eight to twelve weeks. That window includes design drafting, family approval, hand-carving in our Morris County workshop, and coordination with the cemetery for foundation preparation and placement. We give every family an honest timeline at the outset.

Do you serve cemeteries throughout New Jersey?

Yes. Pillow Headstone Guide serves all 14 New Jersey counties from our Morris County headquarters. We handle delivery and professional installation at cemeteries throughout Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties — coordinating every step directly with the cemetery office.

Are your memorials cemetery-compliant?

Yes. Before any stone is cut, Pillow Headstone Guide verifies the receiving cemetery's current regulations — permitted height, base dimensions, acceptable finish types, and installation scheduling. Cemetery-compliant specifications are confirmed in writing before fabrication begins, protecting the family's investment and ensuring smooth installation.

Can I bring my own design or photo?

Absolutely. Families regularly bring photographs, hand-drawn sketches, military insignia, religious artwork, or personal poetry. Our Morris County artisans incorporate all personal materials into a scaled design proof, which the family reviews and approves before any carving begins. Revisions are a normal part of the process.

Do you offer veteran companion markers?

Yes. Pillow Headstone Guide creates veteran memorial configurations incorporating branch insignia, rank designations, service dates, and authorized emblems. Companion stones honoring a veteran alongside a spouse are also available. We meet national cemetery dimension standards when required.

What languages do you serve families in?

Yes — English, Russian, and Polish.

Showroom & Gallery

See Pillow Headstone in Person

Browse a few of the stones we have set, then come visit us in person. Sample stones, finishes, and lettering are all on display.

Pillow Headstone Guide Madison, NJ 07940
Get directions
Headstones · Serving all of New Jersey

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

We serve families across Morris, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson counties and all of New Jersey. Fill out the form, drop by the showroom, or call us. Real people answer the phone Monday through Saturday.

Request Your Free Consultation

A specialist contacts you within one business day. House calls available across Morris County and the surrounding region.

Or call (201) 297-4344