Landscape vs Portrait Headstones

Most upright headstones are wider than they are tall — a landscape orientation. Portrait, or tall, stones are less common but can look striking. The choice affects how everything on the stone fits together.

Landscape (wide)

• Most common for single and companion stones.
• Room for two names side by side.
• Long names and epitaphs fit on one line.
• Stable — a wide base resists tipping.

See companion headstones.

Portrait (tall)

• Elegant and traditional — like Victorian tablets.
• Suits narrow plots — see headstone for a small plot.
• Great for a tall portrait or cross.
• Stacked lines of wording.
• Must respect height limits — see height limits.

Layout differences

Landscape stones invite side-by-side layouts: names left and right, a symbol in the centre. Portrait stones work best stacked: symbol, opening line, name, dates, epitaph. See headstone layout tips.

Choosing

Consider the plot width, the number of names, any portrait, and the look of nearby stones. Try both in the Design Studio to compare.

Orientation for flat and slant markers

Flat and slant markers are almost always landscape — wider than tall — because they sit low and are read from above or at an angle. Portrait orientation suits uprights only. If your cemetery section allows only flat markers, focus on layout within a landscape space instead: name centred, dates beneath, a small symbol to one side. See flat grave marker wording.

Key Takeaways

• Landscape stones are most common and fit two names.
• Portrait stones suit narrow plots and tall portraits.
• Layouts differ: side-by-side vs stacked.
• Respect height limits for tall stones.

Next Step

See headstone sizes and headstone shapes.