Headstones in Boston & Greater Boston: New England's Garden Cemeteries

Boston gave America the garden cemetery: Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, founded in 1831, inspired cemeteries across the country. Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain followed, and today Greater Boston has Catholic, Jewish, Armenian, Greek, municipal and private cemeteries across Suffolk, Middlesex and Norfolk counties. Veterans may be buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Garden cemetery rules

Landscaped cemeteries often have detailed rules on monument size, style and placement to keep their character. Some sections allow only flat markers; others welcome uprights and family monuments. Ask for the rules first.

New England winters

Snow, ice and frequent freeze-thaw call for dense, polished granite with deep-cut lettering, on a foundation to the cemetery's specification. See best granite for cold climates.

Many traditions

Irish, Italian, Armenian, Greek, Haitian, Cape Verdean, Chinese and Vietnamese families all have strong memorial customs. See Irish blessings, Armenian khachkars and Portuguese phrases.

Cemetery rules

In the United States, cemeteries are regulated state by state, and every cemetery — municipal, religious, nonprofit or private — sets its own rules on memorial sizes, materials, foundations and installation. Before you order:

• Ask the cemetery for its rules and fee schedule in writing (foundation, setting and any permit fees).
• Confirm who installs — cemetery staff or an approved monument company.
• Submit the design for approval before production.

Our cemetery headstone rules guide has a full checklist, and headstone setting fees explained covers the extra costs.

Veterans

Eligible veterans can receive a government headstone or marker, and families can also choose a private granite monument that includes service details. See veteran headstones and VA rules and military inscriptions.

Factory-direct to Boston

Marwaa Memorials manufactures in our own factory and delivers door-to-door across the USA under DAP terms, with freight, customs and duties included in the quote. Plan the design in our Design Studio, request a quote, or call our US team via the contact page. Read how DAP delivery works.

Local pages: Suffolk County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, our Massachusetts headstone guide. See also our Connecticut guide.