Companion monuments — also called double monuments or couple's monuments — are designed to memorialize two people, typically a married couple, on a single stone. They represent a significant portion of the upright monument market and have some unique design, sizing, and ordering considerations that differ from single monuments.
The standard companion monument is wider than a single to accommodate two sets of inscriptions side by side. Common companion die sizes run from 36×12×4 through 48×16×6 inches. The most popular size in the Northeast is 42×14×6, which provides substantial face area for two complete inscriptions while remaining proportional. The base for a companion monument must be correspondingly wider — typical base dimensions are 46×8×14 or 50×8×14 for the above die sizes.
Inscription layout on a companion monument follows conventions that families generally expect. The two sides of the monument face are typically mirror images of each other — husband on the left (from the front), wife on the right, each with their own name, birth year, and death year. The center of the monument often carries a shared element: a religious symbol such as a cross or Star of David, a floral design, a shared last name or family crest, or an epitaph that applies to both. Dates are typically left partially blank if one spouse is still living — the birth year is carved, the death year space is left for later addition.
Ordering a companion monument while one spouse is still living requires particular care. The death year for the surviving spouse must be left blank, which means the stone will require a return visit for an addition inscription when the time comes. Some families prefer to show the death year field as a dash followed by a space, which clearly indicates where the future date will go. The artwork proof must clearly show this layout so the family understands and approves the blank space.
Late additions — adding the death year for a surviving spouse to an existing monument — are a service that monument dealers can provide. The monument does not need to be removed from the cemetery for this; a skilled engraver can perform in-field additions using portable sandblasting equipment. Some suppliers handle in-field additions as a service offering. This can be a valuable repeat business opportunity and a reason for families to maintain a relationship with your company over the long term.
Companion flat markers follow the same general principles but in a horizontal format. A standard companion flat marker runs 28×16×4 or 30×18×4 inches. The inscription layout places each person's information on their respective half, with shared elements centered. For flush markers in perpetual-care cemeteries, confirm with the cemetery that a companion-size marker is permitted on the lot size the family has purchased — some lots are sized for single markers only.
One common question from families concerns the order of names. Traditional Western convention places the husband's name on the left when facing the monument, but this is not universal. Families of non-traditional relationships, single-parent families, or families with cultural preferences may want a different arrangement. The key is confirming the layout explicitly on the artwork proof, with the family's written approval, so there is no ambiguity about what was ordered.