Couples and relatives who opt for a shared headstone
- After a spouse has died: the surviving husband or wife chooses a memorial so that one day their own name can be added to the same stone and a second headstone will never be needed.
- After both parents have died: the children replace two separate, often temporary, markers with one permanent memorial.
- When graves are brought together: the couple were buried in different graves and the family has decided to move them to a single plot.
- A mother and child: occasionally a double memorial unites a mother with a son or daughter who died young.
Shapes and layout
The main aim of a double headstone is that both people are represented on the stone equally and with respect, so that neither looks like an "addition" to the other. That is why we pay particular attention to the layout.
- A wide stele in two halves: a single stone with a cross or symbol in the centre and a portrait and name on each side. This is the most common and most balanced option.
- Two steles on a shared plinth: two separate stones, turned slightly towards each other or joined by a connecting band. This form is often chosen when the stones are put up at different times.
- An open book: two pages, each with one person's name and dates. A symbol of a life lived together.
- A heart or two interlocking rings: more personal shapes, often chosen by children as a sign of how much their parents loved each other.
- A family memorial: a wide horizontal or multi-section monument with three or more names, often with the family surname in large letters across the top.
Prices
| Memorial | What is included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Double granite stele | one stone for two names, shared plinth, two inscriptions, foundation, installation | from 2,500 GEL |
| Two steles on a shared plinth | two stones, a connecting element, double foundation | from 2,800 GEL |
| Family memorial for three or more names | a wide memorial, the family surname, sections for future names | from 3,500 GEL |
| Engraving a second portrait | photo retouching and engraving to match the first | from 250 GEL |
| Adding a new name later | craftsman's visit, engraved on site without removing the headstone | 150 GEL plus 3 GEL per character |
A double headstone costs less than two separate ones, because the foundation, plinth, installation and delivery are all done only once. If you are also planning grave tiles and a railing, everything can go into a single contract.
Space for the living spouse: a delicate question
When a double headstone is put up while one of the couple is still alive, the family has to decide what goes on the second half. Following tradition, some families carve the living spouse's name and year of birth straight away and add the second date later. Others leave that half blank, or place only a shared symbol on it, such as a cross or two rings. There is no right answer, and many older people spend longer thinking about this choice than about anything else. Our designer will show both versions on the visualisation, so the family can see in advance how the memorial looks now and how it will look later, and make the decision without pressure.
A family memorial across generations
Family graves where grandparents, parents and sometimes children are laid to rest often have several headstones from different decades and in different styles. Sometimes the family decides to replace them with one memorial on which every name appears in the same style. In that case we reproduce the inscriptions and portraits from the old stones faithfully on the new one, and the old stones are either kept or disposed of respectfully, as the family prefers. In the design of a family memorial we always leave space for future generations so that the stone never has to be replaced again.
Two portraits on one stone
The hardest part of a double headstone is making the two portraits sit well together. Families often have one recent colour photo and one taken decades earlier, and if they are used as they are, one person looks young and sharp on the stone while the other looks blurred and aged. Our designer therefore processes both photographs in the same style, evening out sharpness, background, lighting and scale so the faces are the same size and equally clear. Some families pick pictures of the couple at roughly the same age, for example from their wedding or a family celebration, and this gives the memorial a particular warmth.
Symbols and an epitaph for a couple
A double headstone often carries one shared symbol that unites the two people: a cross in the centre, two interlocking rings, a grapevine or a pair of doves. The epitaph is frequently shared too, for example "Together in life and in eternity", or a line from a song the couple loved. The family chooses the words, and we suggest a layout in which the text belongs equally to both halves and space is still left for the inscription that will come later.
Choosing the stone
A double or family memorial is usually larger and heavier than a single one, and it may have to "wait" decades for new inscriptions. That makes black granite the most practical choice: it is strong, it does not change colour, and lettering added years later is indistinguishable from the original. On marble, a new inscription can sometimes look brighter against an older, slightly darkened background. If the family prefers a lighter stone, we suggest grey or red granite, which are just as stable in this respect.
If the couple were of different faiths
In Tbilisi it is not unusual for a husband and wife to have belonged to different churches, for example the Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic churches, or for one to have been Christian and the other Muslim. In that case each half of the double headstone can carry its own symbol, with a shared neutral element in the centre, such as a tree or two joined hands. We prepare such a sketch together with the family with particular care so that both traditions are represented respectfully.
Stages of production and installation
- Measuring: a double headstone needs a wider foundation, so the craftsman measures the exact boundaries of both graves and checks where the stone should stand so that it belongs equally to both.
- Sketch: we prepare two or three options with different shapes and layouts, each showing where the future inscription will go.
- Photos and text: both portraits are processed in one style, and the family approves the wording in writing.
- Production: three to four weeks for a double stele, four to six for a family memorial.
- Installation: a shared reinforced foundation, then the plinth and stone, during the warm season. If old headstones are being removed, this is done on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Two names, one stone - what is the price?
One wide stele for two names starts at 2,500 GEL, two steles on a shared plinth at 2,800, and a family memorial for three or more names at 3,500. Both the foundation and installation within Tbilisi come with that price.
Can the second name be added years later?
Yes. Our craftsman engraves the name and dates on site in the same typeface as the first, without taking the headstone down. This costs 150 GEL plus 3 GEL for each character.
Which is cheaper: one double headstone or two single ones?
As a rule, the double one, since the foundation, plinth, delivery and installation are done just once. The difference is often several hundred lari.
Can an old portrait be moved to the new memorial?
Yes. We scan the old headstone or the photo, restore it if needed, and engrave it on the new stone in the same style as the other portraits.
Can the surviving spouse take part in choosing the design?
Of course, and for the family this often matters a great deal. The designer will arrange a meeting at our office or at home, at a convenient time, and build the sketch around his or her wishes.
How much space does a double headstone need?
Usually the width of a double grave, roughly two to two and a half metres. The craftsman measures on site and tells you how wide the memorial can be while still leaving room for tiles and a railing.
One stone holding two or more beloved names keeps a family's story together. For sketch options and a free measuring visit, get in touch with our memorial designers at +995 568 33 03 18; they will show you how the headstone looks today and how it will look in the future, and our craftsman will make sure every name receives equal space and equal respect.