When a family begins the process of choosing a headstone, one of the first decisions they face is shape. It sounds straightforward, but the form of a headstone carries real weight. It shapes the overall impression of the memorial, affects how much design space you have to work with, and reflects something of the person being remembered. Understanding the most common headstone shapes in New Zealand can help families feel more confident walking into that first conversation with a stonemason.
This guide is for families in the early stages of planning. You do not need to arrive with all the answers already decided. What helps is knowing your options so you can ask better questions and focus on what feels right.
Why Headstone Shape Matters
A headstone is not simply a marker. It is a permanent, physical tribute that families will return to for decades. The shape you choose influences everything that follows: the amount of inscription space, whether artwork or photography can be incorporated, how it sits within the cemetery landscape, and ultimately how it feels to stand in front of it.
It is worth noting that New Zealand cemeteries and urupā often have their own regulations around size, height, and style. These requirements vary by location, so it is always worth checking with your local council or cemetery administration before settling on a design. Our team handles this process regularly and can advise you based on where your loved one is laid to rest.
Common Headstone Shapes in New Zealand
Saddle and Camber Top
The saddle or camber top is arguably the most popular headstone shape across New Zealand cemeteries. It features a gently curved upper edge that creates a clean, timeless silhouette. This shape suits a wide range of design styles, from traditional to contemporary, and provides ample surface area for inscriptions, symbols, and imagery. You can see examples in our saddle and camber headstones gallery. Because it is so widely used, families often find it a comfortable starting point before exploring more distinctive options.
Upright Flat Top and Small Upright
A flat top upright headstone has straight, angular lines that give it a modern, understated quality. This shape is particularly well suited to minimalist designs or those who prefer clean geometry over ornamental curves. For those working within a smaller budget or cemetery space restrictions, small upright headstones offer a refined and dignified option that can still carry meaningful inscriptions and engravings.
Oval or Arc Top
The oval or arc top is one of the oldest and most recognisable headstone shapes. Its rounded upper edge gives it a soft, gentle character, which many families find fitting for a tribute that carries warmth and tenderness. Oval tops work beautifully with portrait engravings and flowing script lettering.
Heart Shape
Heart-shaped headstones are a deeply personal choice, particularly for memorials honouring children, young people, or those who were known for their warmth and love of family. Our heart headstones gallery shows how expressive and tender this shape can be. They are a departure from convention, but for many families that is precisely the point.
Cross Shape
Cross headstones are a natural choice for families of Christian faith. They can range from simple Latin crosses in granite to elaborately carved Celtic or Eastern Orthodox designs. Our cross headstones range reflects that variety and can be fully customised to honour the faith and heritage of your loved one.
Angel Wings
Angel wings headstones carry a profound sense of peace and spiritual meaning. They are a popular choice for families who want a memorial that feels transcendent and comforting. Our angel wings headstones are custom crafted and can be combined with detailed carving, inscriptions, and photographic elements.
Temple Shape
Temple headstones are larger and more architectural in character, typically featuring a roof-like header with pillars or columns on either side. These memorials tend to be grander in scale and are particularly suited to families who want a monument that makes a significant visual statement. View our temple headstones range to get a sense of what is possible.
Recumbent or Flat Grave Marker
Recumbent headstones, sometimes called desk or flat markers, lie horizontally rather than standing upright. They are a low-profile option that blends gently with the cemetery landscape. While they offer a smaller visible surface area, our recumbent headstones can still be richly detailed with inscriptions, engravings, and even photographs.
Book Shape
A book-shaped headstone represents a life’s story, open and ongoing. This shape resonates strongly with families who wish to honour someone who loved literature, valued faith, or simply lived a life full of chapters worth remembering. Our book headstones often feature text across both pages, giving designers more layout flexibility and space for longer inscriptions or verses.
Double Width
For families honouring two people together, double width headstones provide a wider canvas for shared memorials. These are often chosen by couples and can be designed with space for a second inscription to be added at a later date.
Unique and Carved Designs
Beyond standard shapes, Sanctuary Memorials also offers fully carved headstones with detailed realistic engravings, from landscapes and portraits to cultural symbols and personal motifs. If you have a vision in mind that does not fit neatly into a standard category, our team of in-house artists and stonemasons can bring it to life.
Honouring Cultural Heritage
Sanctuary Memorials has deep experience creating memorials that reflect diverse cultural backgrounds. Our Chinese and Asian headstones range is one example of how we work with families to incorporate traditional elements, scripts, and symbolism into a custom design. We also serve Pacific Island communities with free shipping to the Pacific and a team that understands the cultural importance of these memorials.
Children’s Memorials
Choosing a memorial for a child is one of the most difficult things a family can face. Our children’s headstones are designed with exceptional care and sensitivity. Shapes like hearts, angels, and books tend to resonate most deeply in these situations, and our team will guide you gently through every decision.
Shape and Material Go Hand in Hand
The shape of a headstone is closely tied to the material used. Granite is by far the most popular choice in New Zealand cemeteries due to its durability and the wide range of colours available. For families who want to go further with personalisation, our full colour headstones use advanced techniques to incorporate vivid imagery and lifelike portraits directly into the stone, creating a memorial that is truly one of a kind.
How to Start the Conversation
Choosing a headstone shape does not need to be done alone. The most helpful thing families can do is bring a sense of the person they are honouring into the conversation. Our team will take those elements and translate them into a form that feels genuinely right. You can book a custom design consultation at one of our Auckland showrooms or over video call, or browse our full headstone styles collection to start building a picture of what feels right for your family.