A companion monument, also called a double or couples monument, is designed to memorialize two people — typically a married couple — on a single stone. These monuments are both practical and symbolic, representing the enduring bond between two people. Designing one thoughtfully requires some planning, especially when one partner is still living.
The most common companion monument is a wide upright headstone that spans a double lot (two adjacent grave spaces). Standard widths range from 36 to 48 inches, though some cemeteries allow larger sizes. The face of the monument is typically divided into two halves, with each person's name, dates, and individual inscription on their respective side. A shared surname is often carved in large letters across the top center, with a design element or symbol between the two sides.
When designing a companion monument with one partner still living, the monument is ordered with the deceased person's complete information on their side. The living partner's side includes their name and birth year, with the death year left blank to be added later. This is standard practice in the monument industry. The monument company will return to add the final date when the time comes, matching the original font and layout exactly.
The center of a companion monument offers a meaningful design opportunity. Popular choices include wedding rings, clasped hands, a shared religious symbol, a heart with both names, or a scene that represents something the couple enjoyed together. Some families use the center space for a family name, a shared epitaph like "Together Forever" or "United in Love and in Rest," or a depiction of a place that was special to the couple.
Planning ahead has significant advantages. Ordering a companion monument while both partners are living allows you to make design decisions together, ensures the memorial reflects both personalities, and locks in current pricing. Many couples find comfort in knowing this decision is handled. It also guarantees matching granite from the same lot, which is important because natural stone can vary slightly between quarry batches.