Why Work With Us?

Headstone Plaque Dealer
in NJ

Hand-carved memorial plaques by Headstone Plaque Shop — 80+ years in Morris County, NJ.

NJ Memorial Specialists — Custom granite & bronze memorials
Custom Carving & Design — Hand-carved in Morris County
Veteran Memorials — VA-compatible, military-grade
Cemetery Compliance — Every piece meets cemetery rules
Foundation Installation — Below frost-line, level-set
Photo-Etched Portraits — High-contrast relief portraits
Memorial Restoration — Restore aged & weathered stone
American-Made Materials — Domestic granite & bronze
Companion Memorial Sets — Side-by-side memorial pairs
Over 80 Years in NJ — Family-owned since 1945
All 14 NJ Counties — Statewide installation
Multilingual Service — English · Russian · Polish
Call (201) 582-8447Get a Free Consultation
Serving all of New Jersey · English, Russian, Polish
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 1

Memorial Plaques

Over 80 Years in NJ

Ready When You Are

Talk to a Headstone Plaque Shop craftsman today.

Call, email, schedule a free quote, or visit the showroom in person. Real people answer the phone Monday through Saturday.

Call (201) 582-8447Email UsSchedule a Free QuoteVisit Our Showroom
Service Area

Serving All 14 NJ Counties

When families in Morris County, Bergen County, or Essex County search for plaques near them, Headstone Plaque Shop is the workshop behind many of those memorials. Our showroom is on Main Street in Madison, NJ — a short drive from Parsippany, Morristown, Montclair, and Hackensack. We also serve Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. Families are welcome to visit in person or connect by phone at (201) 582-8447.

  • Morris
  • Bergen
  • Essex
  • Passaic
  • Hudson
  • Union
  • Sussex
  • Warren
  • Hunterdon
  • Somerset
  • Middlesex
  • Mercer
  • Monmouth
  • Ocean
Cemetery Guide

Cemetery Compliance Guide

Cemetery Regulations

New Jersey cemeteries maintain specific rules about plaque size, material, and mounting method. Most permit bronze plaques when mounted flush to a granite base or secured to an existing headstone face. Section-specific rules may restrict overall monument height or require that all new markers conform to a uniform lawn-level style. Headstone Plaque Shop reviews each cemetery's current regulations before beginning fabrication, so the finished plaque arrives pre-approved for your section. Families should request a written copy of their cemetery's current monument rules before placing any order.

Foundation Requirements

When a bronze plaque is attached directly to an existing headstone, no separate foundation is required. The plaque is secured with stainless-steel hardware and marine-grade adhesive rated for decades of outdoor exposure. The host headstone itself must rest on a sound foundation; if settling has occurred, the cemetery may require foundation repair before a new plaque can be added. Headstone Plaque Shop reviews photographic documentation of the existing monument before finalizing the attachment design, ensuring a level, permanent installation.

Religious Cemetery Considerations

New Jersey's religious cemeteries — Catholic, Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, and others — often layer additional guidelines on top of standard monument rules. Catholic cemeteries in Essex and Morris counties commonly specify approved religious symbols and may require that the cross design conform to a particular style. Jewish cemeteries typically prohibit crosses and may restrict inscriptions to Hebrew, Yiddish, or transliterated text alongside English. Eastern Orthodox communities often request the eight-pointed cross or Cyrillic lettering. Headstone Plaque Shop's team — fluent in English, Russian, and Polish — guides families through symbol and inscription requirements for their specific grounds with sensitivity and care.

Our Collection

Our Memorial Plaques Collection

Headstone Plaque

A headstone plaque is a bronze panel affixed directly to the face of an existing granite or marble headstone. It fills the role of a secondary inscription when the original stone was set before a spouse's passing, or when a family later wishes to add military service dates, a meaningful verse, a portrait, or a faith symbol the original carver did not include. The plaque is secured with stainless-steel studs and marine-grade adhesive rated for decades of outdoor exposure, creating a bond that handles New Jersey's freeze-thaw cycles without loosening. Headstone plaque widths are custom-cut to fit within the existing stone's field — from narrow 8-inch panels to wide 22-inch tablets — and thicknesses range from a slim 3/16 inch to a substantial 1/2 inch for deep relief lettering. The plaque stands no more than 2 to 3 inches proud of the stone face, keeping the overall profile within virtually every New Jersey cemetery's height allowances. Because bronze develops a natural patina that varies with sun exposure, Headstone Plaque Shop can supply the plaque in a finish tone matched to the existing stone's hardware — bronze handles, vases, and inlaid plaques that already exist on the headstone — so the addition reads as original rather than afterthought. The result is a memorial that tells a fuller story of the person it honors, in the same place where generations of family will continue to gather.

Bronze Options

Headstone plaques at Headstone Plaque Shop are available in statuary bronze — warm amber developing a natural brown patina — and dark-rubbed bronze with a high-contrast dark background. Lettering styles include traditional Roman serif, clean sans-serif, and calligraphic script. Borders range from simple line rules to ornate acanthus, floral, or military motifs. Military service branch insignias for all six branches are engraved to standard specification. Religious symbols — Catholic crosses, Stars of David, Orthodox eight-pointed crosses, Protestant crosses, Islamic crescents — are all part of the standard repertoire. For portrait inclusion, ceramic photo tiles fired at kiln temperature are inset into the bronze panel, producing a likeness that will not fade, blister, or peel over decades of outdoor exposure. Custom inscriptions in any language are available. English, Russian, and Polish engraving — including Cyrillic and Latin character sets — are the most frequently requested language combinations in our Morris County workshop.

Custom Design Process

Every headstone plaque project begins with a consultation — in English, Russian, or Polish — in which our team gathers the exact inscription, symbol requirements, and dimensional constraints of the existing headstone. A photograph of the headstone is used to ensure the plaque's proportions read correctly in context. A scaled digital proof is then prepared showing every element of the design — lettering, symbols, borders, and the plaque's position on the stone face. Families review the proof and mark up any changes. No material is ordered until written approval is received. After approval, the plaque is fabricated in our Morris County, NJ workshop using American-made bronze, hand-finished, and shipped or delivered to the cemetery for installation. We coordinate directly with the cemetery to confirm that the attachment method complies with current rules.

Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 2
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 3
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 4
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 5
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 6
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 7
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 8
Bronze Headstone Plaque hand-carved by Headstone Plaque Shop in NJ — image 9
Memorial Plaques process
Our Process

Our Hand-Carving Process

Every bronze memorial plaque that leaves Headstone Plaque Shop's Morris County workshop passes through six deliberate stages. First, a design consultation — in English, Russian, or Polish — gathers every detail: name, dates, inscription, symbols, and the specific cemetery's mounting requirements. Second, a digital proof is prepared and reviewed with the family until every letter and line is exactly right. Third, American-made bronze is cast or etched to the approved design; we use no imported substitutes. Fourth, relief lettering and decorative elements are hand-finished to sharpen definition — a step that distinguishes a hand-crafted plaque from a mass-produced one. Fifth, the plaque is fitted to its granite base (if applicable) and inspected against the cemetery's dimensional requirements. Sixth, delivery and placement are coordinated with the cemetery so the installation proceeds without delay. Families are welcome to visit the workshop at any stage to view work in progress. The entire process — from approved proof to cemetery placement — typically takes several weeks, depending on complexity and cemetery scheduling.

Memorial Plaques memorial installed in NJ
Voices

What Families Say

New Jersey families have entrusted us with their memorials for three generations.

“My grandmother's headstone had been in place for thirty years before my grandfather passed, so we needed a plaque added for his name and dates. Headstone Plaque Shop matched the bronze tone to the original stone's vase brackets perfectly. The design proof showed us exactly where everything would sit on the stone. We could not have asked for a more thoughtful process.” — Sophia, Morris County NJ
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not see your question here, call us.

How long does it take to design and install a memorial plaques?

Most headstone plaques take several weeks from approved design proof to cemetery placement. Simpler designs with standard lettering move faster; complex castings with photo etching or intricate relief work may require additional time. We review the timeline at your initial consultation so there are no surprises.

Do you serve cemeteries throughout New Jersey?

Yes. Headstone Plaque Shop serves all 14 New Jersey counties, from Morris County — where our workshop is located — to Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean. We coordinate directly with cemetery offices for delivery and placement.

Are your memorials cemetery-compliant?

Every headstone plaque we produce is reviewed against the specific cemetery's current rulebook before fabrication begins. Dimensions, mounting methods, and approved symbols are all verified so the finished piece installs without issue. If a cemetery's rules change between order and delivery, we communicate directly with the grounds office to resolve it.

Can I bring my own design or photo?

Families are encouraged to share photos, sketches, meaningful symbols, military branch insignias, or religious artwork. Our design team incorporates your vision into a digital proof for review and approval before any material is cut or cast. Photo-etching on bronze or ceramic inserts on granite are both available options for portrait-quality imagery.

Do you offer veteran companion markers?

Headstone Plaque Shop produces veteran plaques featuring branch-of-service insignias — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force — alongside dates of service and campaign information. These can be paired with a headstone or mounted as a companion marker. Families with questions about VA-furnished markers should discuss their specific situation with us during the consultation.

What languages do you serve families in?

Yes — English, Russian, and Polish.

Showroom & Gallery

See Headstone Plaque in Person

Browse a few of the stones we have set, then come visit us in person. Sample stones, finishes, and lettering are all on display.

Headstone Plaque Shop Madison, NJ 07940
Get directions
Memorial Plaques · Serving all of New Jersey

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

We serve families across Morris, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson counties and all of New Jersey. Fill out the form, drop by the showroom, or call us. Real people answer the phone Monday through Saturday.

Request Your Free Consultation

A specialist contacts you within one business day. House calls available across Morris County and the surrounding region.

Or call (201) 582-8447