How to Make Concrete Headstones

Making a basic concrete headstone is simple.

Making your own headstone (whether it's for actual use or just as a prop for the holidays) is not as difficult as you might think. It's even easier if you use concrete mix rather than attempting to carve finished stone. All you need is the proper mortar mix, a frame, some plastic sheeting, a shovel and some stamp letters and you have everything you need to make a concrete headstone.

Things You'll Need

• Two-by-fours
• Shovel
• Screws or nails
• Screwdriver or hammer
• Mortar mix
• Stamp letters
• Straight edge
• Plastic sheet
• Mixing bucket

Instructions

1. Build a rectangular frame out of two-by-fours. Make the interior of the frame at least 21 inches long and 16 inches wide, and screw or nail the boards together at the corners. The 4-inch part of the two-by-four will serve as the depth of the frame. Lay the frame down flat on a plastic sheet--the mortar will be poured directly into the frame, so you don't want it escaping. Brush vegetable oil onto the inside of the frame to prevent the concrete from bonding to it.

2. Mix the mortar to the consistency of thick peanut butter. Don't use too much water, or it will run into the lettering and ruin it. Shovel the mixed mortar into the wooden frame.

3. Hammer the frame on all four sides to help the mortar fill any voids.

4. Smooth the surface of the cement with your straight edge. Press the name, dates of birth and death and any other information you want in the concrete with your stamp letters. Use your straight edge as a guide to keep the letters straight, if necessary.

5. Remove the frame after the concrete has dried. Wait for the concrete to cure according to the manufacturer's recommendations, then place your headstone wherever you like.

References

• APCRP: Making Your Own Headstone

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish