Headstones With Hearts: Symbolism, Designs, and Meaningful Memorial Options
Choosing a memorial is one of the most personal decisions a family can make. For many, heart symbols represent love, connection, and the deep bond shared with a loved one. Headstones with hearts are a meaningful way to honor that connection through a beautiful and timeless design.
Whether families prefer a subtle heart engraving or a fully shaped heart monument, this guide explains the symbolism behind heart memorials, the different design options available, and how Express Monument Company can help create a tribute that feels truly personal.
What Do Hearts Symbolize on Headstones?
A heart is one of the most universal and powerful symbols used in memorial art. On a headstone, a heart can represent:
Eternal love
Devotion and connection
Compassion and tenderness
A bond that continues beyond life
Family unity or partnership
For couples, hearts can symbolize shared love and a life built together. For children or infants, heart designs reflect innocence, purity, and the endless love of family.
Explore Custom Monument Designs
Discover our full collection of granite and bronze headstones, including heart-shaped, companion, flat, and upright designs — all crafted with care and precision.
View our monuments here.
Types of Headstones With Heart Designs
Families have many options when choosing how to incorporate a heart into a memorial. Here are some of the most popular styles:
1. Heart-Shaped Upright Monuments
These are fully sculpted upright headstones in the shape of a heart. They stand out visually and are commonly used for couples, infants, or families who want a deeply meaningful centerpiece.
Features:
One or two joined hearts
Optional angel motifs
Polished or shadowed finish
Space for portraits or ceramic photos
2. Flat Bronze or Granite Markers With Heart Engravings
Flat markers are subtle yet beautiful options. The heart may be engraved, outlined, or included as part of a decorative border.
Benefits:
Cemetery-approved in many lawn sections
Clean, elegant appearance
Perfect for single or companion plots
3. Companion Monuments With Interlocking Hearts
Interlocking hearts are especially popular for spouses. They symbolize unity, lifelong love, and connection.
Common elements:
Two side-by-side hearts
Separate or shared inscriptions
A central vase or bronze ornament
4. Infant and Child Heart Designs
For child memorials, hearts often combine with other gentle symbols such as stars, teddy bears, footprints, or angel wings.
These designs reflect warmth, innocence, and remembrance.
5. Heart-Shaped Bronze Plates or Inlays
Families who prefer bronze can choose raised heart shapes, decorative borders, or small heart emblems at the top or bottom of the plaque.
What Materials Are Best for Heart Headstones?
Granite:
Durable, classic, and available in many colors. Granite allows heart shapes, engravings, and hand-carved details.
Bronze:
Elegant, long-lasting, and ideal for flat markers with heart emblems or decorative borders.
Combination (Bronze on Granite):
A popular option that pairs durability with detailed design.
At Express Monument Company, both granite and bronze can be customized with heart motifs, portraits, inscriptions, and decorative elements.
Popular Design Elements for Heart Headstones
Many families incorporate heart symbols alongside other meaningful details, such as:
Angel figures or wings
Roses or floral borders
Infinity symbols
A shared vase for couples
Ceramic portraits set inside heart frames
Engravings like “Forever in Our Hearts”
These elements help personalize the tribute and tell a story about the person being honored.
Heart Headstones for Couples, Families, and Individuals
For Couples
Heart-shaped or double-heart monuments symbolize unity, partnership, and shared love. These are especially meaningful when honoring long marriages.
For Individuals
Single-heart engravings or shaped markers reflect a life filled with love and connection.
For Children
Soft heart designs, paired with gentle imagery, create warm and tender tributes.
Are Heart Headstones Allowed in All Cemeteries?
Cemetery regulations vary widely. Some allow upright heart-shaped monuments, while others only permit flat markers.
Before choosing a design, families should confirm:
Allowed monument types (flat, upright, companion)
Material requirements (bronze, granite)
Size and height restrictions
At Express Monument Company, we help families navigate all cemetery rules, ensuring every design meets the required guidelines.
Creating a Customized Heart Headstone
Our design team can create a completely personalized memorial, including:
Shape and size customization
Heart-shaped engraving or sculpture
Custom inscriptions
Portraits and photo frames
Bronze emblems
Floral patterns or angel artwork
Each design is created with care, precision, and respect for the family’s wishes.
FAQs About Headstones With Hearts
Are heart-shaped headstones more expensive?
They can be slightly higher in cost due to carving complexity, but options vary depending on size and material.
Can I choose a double-heart design for a single person?
Yes. Many families use double hearts to symbolize connection, faith, or family unity.
Do cemeteries allow upright heart-shaped monuments?
Some do, while others may require flat markers. We verify every regulation before production.
Can bronze markers include heart symbols?
Absolutely — bronze allows raised heart emblems, plates, or decorative borders.
Find the Cemeteries We Serve Across California
We work directly with dozens of cemeteries across California. Check if we serve your location and learn about regulations, approved monument types, and installation guidelines. See the full list of cemeteries we serve.
Honor Your Loved One With a Beautiful Heart Design
A heart is a timeless symbol of love. For many families, choosing a headstone with a heart is a meaningful way to reflect the bond and connection shared with a loved one.
At Express Monument Company, we create custom granite and bronze memorials with heart-shaped designs made to last — crafted with care, empathy, and precision.
Request a Personalized Quote
Our team will guide you through every step — from choosing materials to designing a meaningful heart-shaped memorial.
Request pricing now.