Headstones in Providence & Rhode Island

Providence's Swan Point Cemetery is one of New England's great garden cemeteries, and Rhode Island has hundreds of small historical cemeteries scattered across fields and woods. Families include Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Italian, Irish, Dominican and Guatemalan communities. Veterans may be buried at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.

Portuguese and Cape Verdean traditions

Photo portraits, crosses and Portuguese or Kriolu inscriptions are common. See Portuguese phrases.

Winter and freeze-thaw

Cold winters and repeated freeze-thaw are hard on stone. Dense, polished granite with deep-cut lettering, on a foundation built to the cemetery's specification, lasts best, and most cemeteries install from spring to late autumn. See protecting a headstone in winter.

Salt air

Sea air carries salt that can stain and wear softer stones. Dense, polished granite with deep-cut lettering resists it best. See best headstones for coastal cemeteries.

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, marker or medallion, and families can also choose a private granite monument that includes service details. See veteran headstones and VA rules, the VA medallion and military inscriptions.

Factory-direct to Providence

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: our Rhode Island headstone guide. See also our Boston and Connecticut guides.