SLANTS

A slant sits between a flat marker and a full upright—lower than a headstone, but pitched back so the inscription reads naturally from a standing position.

That angle is the main advantage. You don't have to kneel to read it, and it has a nice presence without the height of an upright. It's also why slants are permitted in many cemetery sections that don't allow standing monuments. A slant can be set directly on the ground or raised on a granite base, which adds height and gives groundskeepers a clean edge to trim around.

There's a practical side too, which anyone who has visited a grave in a New Jersey February will appreciate: snow and rain run off a pitched face instead of pooling on it, and the inscription stays clear of creeping grass.

Most slants are finished with a polished front for sharp lettering and a rock-pitched back and sides, though all-polished is available. Colors range from traditional gray to black, mahogany, and India red, with leaving plenty of room for a family name, emblem, or carved art.

Have a look at the collection below and let us know what stands out to you.