September 5, 2025
Creating a headstone for a veteran isn’t just about choosing stone and lettering. It’s about honouring a life of service, preserving memories, and offering future generations a place to reflect. For many families, this is one of the last, and most lasting, gifts they can give.
Designing a custom granite headstone takes thoughtful planning. You’ll be making decisions about size, shape, inscriptions, and symbols that represent your loved one’s journey. And it’s not always easy to know where to begin.
That’s why working with professional headstone makers is so important. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key considerations involved in planning a granite headstone for a Canadian veteran, so you feel confident every step of the way.
Granite remains the most popular material for military and veteran headstones, and for good reason. Its strength, natural beauty, and weather resistance make it ideal for long-lasting outdoor monuments.
Unlike softer materials like marble or sandstone, granite withstands extreme temperatures, ice, moisture, and pollution without significant erosion. For families seeking a permanent tribute, granite provides peace of mind.
Summit Memorials guarantees that every granite headstone we provide will never crack, chip, or deteriorate due to weather conditions. Our lifetime guarantee ensures that the lettering and design will remain legible for all time, without the use of dyes or artificial colour enhancements.
Many veterans’ families choose darker granite shades, such as Supreme Black or Britz Blue, for strong contrast with inscriptions and a timeless appearance. Others may select Mountain Rose or Stanstead Grey for a lighter, more traditional tone.
At Summit Memorials, we source granite responsibly, with colours quarried from top-quality suppliers around the world.
Custom granite memorials allow you to express not just who your loved one was, but also the life they led in service. Here are the key features to consider.
Most veteran memorials follow one of three traditional styles:
Veteran families often opt for upright headstones shaped in a serp-top or more symbolic silhouettes like a cross or shield. Experienced headstone makers can guide you through what’s allowed by your cemetery while suggesting unique, meaningful options.
Veteran headstones typically include:
Optional lines such as “Forever Remembered”, “Proudly Served”, or a family dedication.
If you’re unsure about how much space you’ll need, headstone makers can help size the monument appropriately based on inscription length and font choices.
For Canadian veterans, you may consider including:
Our team can etch, carve, or apply these elements using sandblasting or engraving techniques that suit the granite’s colour and polish.
Many families choose to personalize veteran monuments with:
These additions are carefully planned so they maintain clarity and aesthetic integrity for years to come. If using a photo, be sure it’s a high-resolution image for best results.
At Summit Memorials, we help families and funeral homes across Western Canada honour loved ones with meaningful, long-lasting granite memorials. As experienced headstone makers, we work closely with cemeteries, veterans’ families, and community organizations to ensure every monument reflects the life, story, and service of those it commemorates.
Every monument we provide is backed by our written Memorial Guarantee, your assurance that the granite will never crack or chip due to weather, and that inscriptions will remain legible for a lifetime.
To learn more about our veteran monument options or to start planning a custom design, contact us today. We’re here to help with compassion and clarity every step of the way.
