Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different sorts of memorials ?

• Full Memorial. A headstone with kerbstones, or just kerbstones, that surround the whole grave space, sometimes with granite or glass chippings in the centre or, completely covered over by a stone slab.
• Lawn Memorials. A headstone set on a small base and situated at the head of the grave. The remaining space is left to grass. This is a popular form of memorial with many burial grounds as it allows for easier maintenance of the grass areas between memorials.
• Monolith Memorials. An older form of memorial with the stone situated at the head of the grave and protrudes directly from the ground.
• Cremation Plaques.  These can take the form of flat or sloping plaqes to go over the interred ashes, or small plaques that are placed directly onto the wall in the garden of remembrance.

What is the difference between Granite, Marble and Regional Stones?

Granite is an extremely hard stone of enduring quality and available in a large variety of colours. It is a stone which retains its finish with  minimal weathering or deterioration and is suitable for both sandblast and hand etched ornamentation and lettering.

Marble and Nebrasina are predominantly quarried in Italy, they are a softer stone than granite and lend themselves well to carving and lettering. Marble is either white or dove grey with blue/black veining.  Nebrasina is a creamy brown colour and a very good alternative to regional stone. Both stones will gradually weather with age.

Regional Stone. These are the large variety of other stones suitable for memorials including slate, Hopton Wood, Portland, Purbeck, Yorkstone and Serena etc. Each have their own particular qualities, colours and degree of hardness. These stones will gradually weather with age.

What Memorial are we able to have?

All burial grounds, whether cemetery or churchyard have regulations regarding the type of memorials they will permit. These regulations vary from place to place. In addition, certain types of stone may be more appropriate in some locations than others, not only for their appearance, but also because of their weathering properties. You can either check with us, or directly with the burial authorities. 

How should you select a memorial mason?

It is advisable to select a firm which genuinely specialise in memorial masonry and to use one belonging to the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM).  This will provide you with extra security, as the association are bound by strict codes of ethics and practice. They should also be members of the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) and have achieved the certification to work in all the relevant burial grounds.

What does it mean if stone is said to be Polished or Honed ?

This normally applies to Granite that can either be polished to a mirror-like finish or, to an egg-shell like finish.

How can I leave flowers at the memorial?

If the memorial is of the Full, Lawn type or a plaque on the ground it is possible to bore a hole to take a weighted aluminium flower container  with a coloured metallic top.  Alternatively a separate granite/stone vase can be supplied.

What are the different ways that the inscription can be put on the stone?

There are a number of ways that this can be done. If it is an initial inscription the choice is dictated by what the burial authorities will allow, the type of stone used and the cost. If it is an additional inscription the lettering should be copied in the same style and method as the original inscription.  There are four main types of inscription...

• Handcut. This produces very distinctive and personal work that can be tailored to exact requirements using hand tools that have changed very little since man decided to carve lasting images in stone. It is an extremely skilled, traditional craft and cannot be offered by all memorial companies.
• Lead filled. A technique  normally used in stone such as Marble or Nebrasina, although it can be done in stone as hard as Granite. The letters are cut, normally by hand, filled with lead, which is then finished flush with the face of the stone.
• Raised lead. This has the appearance of lead letters stuck on-to the face of the stone –normally granite.  It is an extremely skilful technique in which the letter is initially cut into the stone (normally by hand) and lead is then ‘beaten’ in and flattened. This then allows the final letter to be marked out on the lead and finally carved by hand.
• Machine- cut. A less expensive technique, achieved by sand-blasting.  The inscription is laid out on a computer which produces a highly accurate stencil.  The prepared stencil is then stuck onto the face of the stone and the letters are carefully sand-blasted to cut the letters into the stone

What colours and finishes can I have for the inscription?

Dependant on what the burial authority will allow, generally the colours and finishes can be achieved with either...

• Gold,platinum, brass or copper leaf
• Enamel paint of the required colour

How soon after the burial can a stone be erected?

Generally, burial authorities require you to wait at least six months for the ground to settle unless there is a pre-positioned concrete beam to take the weight of the memorial.  Please note, if you do want to place the stone on the grave at the six month point, it should be ordered at least twelve weeks before that date as it can take ten weeks to be delivered and two weeks to be lettered and prepared.

If there are any questions that have not been covered we would be delighted to chat them through with you.  Please either phone or e-mail us (see below).