If you've spent any time sourcing or selling memorials in the UK, you already know the ogee is the single most-requested headstone shape in the trade. Take a stroll through any British Cemetery and very few of the newer granite upright gravestones will be without that S-curve moulding at the top. There's a reason for that, and if you're a memorial dealer, monumental mason or a funeral director, you need to know what makes the ogee so dominant so you can stock smarter, give better advice and close more deals.
Everything you need is included in this guide: What an ogee headstone is, the common variations in design, the sizes accepted in cemeteries throughout the United Kingdom and how it relates to the compliance requirements of BS 8415:2018.
What Is an Ogee Headstone?
The term "ogee" refers to a specific moulding profile; an S-shaped curve where a concave arc flows into a convex arc in one continuous movement. This profile is applied across the top of the stone's edge on a headstone and has an elegant curve, both ways.
It has classical and Gothic design elements that make it a good translation to memorial masonry. It is traditional and refined; formal enough to be a churchyard and beautiful enough to be a modern lawn section. It's this versatility that makes it outsell almost any other upright headstone shape in the UK trade market.
Ogee Design Variations: What UK Dealers Stock
While the name is sometimes used loosely for any curved-top headstone, true ogee memorials come in several distinct profiles. Each has different market appeal and slightly different working characteristics for engravers and masons.
- Full Ogee Classic (Double Ogee): The standard one. The S curve is symmetrical and extends from each shoulder towards the centre apex. This is the standard catalogue ogee, what most clients visualize when they call for an ogee headstone. It continues to be the biggest-selling brand in the UK trade market and is welcomed in most cemetery sections ranging from municipal lawn to traditional full-grave sections.
- Half Ogee: The curve is only used on one side, resulting in an asymmetric top, one side flat or slightly stepped and the other with an ogee curve. It's effective if the cemetery has an upper limit on maximum width, and the family does not wish to go bespoke to achieve a unique profile. This also provides engravers with a larger flat area for the layout field.
- Ogee with Rope Moulding: Full ogee profile with carved rope-effect moulding around margins of stone face providing a full effect. This is the finish that has the highest retail prices and will attract families who are looking at the craftsmanship in evidence. Stone Discover UK's catalogue is often in demand for this bespoke Black Ogee with Rope Moulding.
- Ogee with Checked Shoulders: On each side, there are raised square "check" shoulders that hold an ogee curve in between. This brings an extra architectural, structured appearance to the stone. More popular in Northern England and parts of Scotland where more elaborate memorials are culturally favored.
- Ogee with Serp Edge (Serpentine Moulding): Very fine detail finish with an extra serpentine profile on the edge of the stone. More expensive, slower to make, but really cool looking and perfect for a high end shelf placement in your retail offering.
Standard Ogee Headstone Sizes in the UK
Standard UK ogee memorials are typically supplied in three core sizes: 27" × 21" × 3" tablet with a 3" × 24" × 12" base (overall height 30"), a 30" × 24" × 3" tablet with a 3" × 30" × 12" base (overall height 33"), and a 33" × 24" × 3" tablet with a 3" × 30" × 12" base (overall height 36"). These three sizes cover the vast majority of standard cemetery plot requirements across England, Scotland, and Wales.
For dealers ordering in bulk, stocking all three in absolute black granite means you're positioned to serve virtually any inbound enquiry without delay.
For larger bespoke ogee formats, such as 2'8" high x 2' 2" wide, they also can be made to order, and are well suited when a family requires three or four inscriptions.
A side tip for your clients: The above sizes are for the stone only, not the memorial with foundation. Most local authorities in the UK have a maximum height for stones of 3'6" (including the foundation slab) and a maximum width of 3' 6” , so the 33” tablet fits comfortably in this when installed correctly. Please check each cemetery's individual rules before ordering, as the dimensions of each cemetery may differ.
The average price of Ogee headstones in the UK typically ranges from £800 to £2,500+, depending on the granite type, size, inscription requirements, and level of customisation. Standard Ogee headstones in black or grey granite are usually more affordable, while premium colours, bespoke shapes, hand-carved designs, and additional accessories can increase costs. Wholesale pricing for memorial retailers and trade buyers generally ranges from £300 to £1,500 when purchased in bulk quantities.
Cemetery Acceptance: Will an Ogee Be Approved?
This is the question every memorial dealer is asked and the answer is of course ogee headstones are the most widely accepted style of upright memorials throughout the UK.
Municipal cemeteries, managed by the local council, accept standard ogee uprights in the lawn sections virtually without exception and the stone dimensions are within the plot allowances as per the BRAMM Stone Sizes Guide.
Church of England churchyards are more restricted. The Church of England will expect designs that are sympathetic to the historic character of the churchyard, and favours the traditional form. The classical lineage of the ogee, in fact, is its best fortune here, as it has a much better chance of being accepted with the faculty than heart-shaped or very modern-style ogees. That said, always check with the local incumbent or Diocesan Advisory Committee before proceeding.
Non-conformist and civil cemeteries generally have the most relaxed regulations and will accept ogee memorials in all standard sizes without issue.
BS 8415:2018 compliance is mandatory across all registered UK burial sites. For a memorial with the highest point more than 625mm above the ground, NAMM's Code of Working Practice specifies that the design should be capable of supporting a horizontal load of 70kg applied at the highest point or 1.5m above the ground whichever is lower.
A ogee granite headstones at the following dimensions and properly installed and secured to the ground with compliant ground anchor systems meets this requirement. BS 8415:2018 requires all new memorials to be robust to specific force tests, to safeguard visitors and workers at the cemetery.
As a wholesale supplier, Stone Discover UK supplies all stock ogee memorials at the granite thickness required for BS 8415 compliance. If you have a query about whether a specific size or custom design will meet the standard for a particular site, contact our trade team and we'll advise before you order.
Granite Choices for Ogee Headstones
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The ogee shape is available on all granite stocks, but certain granite types work better for engraving and how the granite looks over time.
- Absolute Indian Black (Jet Black): Most popular one in volume. The surface is ideal for gold leaf lettering & laser etching due to a high contrast. Buried in almost all the British cemeteries. This is the only variant to stock if only one variant.
- Indian Impala (Grey): A lighter, speckled grey granite, which is very popular in conservation-area churchyards where darker polished stones might not be permitted. In this colour, the ogee moulding is aesthetically pleasing—its curved design refracts light in a different way to a flat-top stone.
- Bahama Blue: A bold deep blue when you're looking for something special. It is a business that operates on higher retail price, and higher margin. The ogee top helps to temper the impact of a strong style.
- Imperial Red: Favoured in the Midlands and North. The warm color tone and the traditional ogee shape creates a sense of traditional and personal memorial.
"We've been ordering ogee memorials from Stone Discover UK for over two years now. The consistency of the black granite finish is exceptional — no batch variation, no surprises on delivery. Our masons love working with these stones because the dimensions are always accurate to spec. It genuinely made our ordering process simpler." James H., Memorial Dealer, West Yorkshire
Ogee vs Other Headstone Shapes: What Should You Stock?
For dealers building or refreshing a product range, the conventional trade wisdom is to apply a roughly 70/30 rule: approximately 70% of your upright headstone stock in ogee and flat-top designs that sell consistently, and 30% in premium or distinctive shapes — heart headstones, angel memorials, and children's headstones — that carry higher margins but sell in lower volumes.
Within the ogee category specifically, the full ogee in absolute black granite at the standard 30" size should be your highest-stock SKU. The rope moulding variant and larger bespoke sizes are easy upsells once a customer has already chosen the ogee profile.
Pairing an ogee headstone with a matching kerb set and granite vase in the same colour creates a full grave package — a natural upsell opportunity that increases average order value significantly for dealers.
Order Ogee Headstones Wholesale
Stone Discover UK holds ready stock of ogee headstones in absolute black granite across our warehouses in Liverpool and Southampton, available for fast dispatch to trade customers nationwide. We supply monumental masons, funeral directors, memorial retailers, and wholesale buyers across the UK.
Ready to place a trade order or check current stock levels? → View our in-stock headstones → Download the 2026 wholesale catalogue → Get a trade quote → Contact our sales team — +44 161 394 1594 | info@stonediscover.co.uk
