Funeral memorials

Start with the person rather than the product. Some families want somewhere to visit, such as a headstone, a bench or a place in a memorial garden. Others prefer something to keep close, like an urn, a plaque or a piece of jewellery. Practical things matter too: where the memorial will sit, what the cemetery or churchyard allows, and how much upkeep you want to take on. Our memorial specialists will talk it through with you, and there is no rush to decide.

Yes, and they vary from one site to another. Crematoria, churchyards and cemeteries set rules on the size, type and finish of memorial allowed in their grounds, and many require a permit before anything can be fitted. Some churchyards do not allow polished materials at all. We will check the rules for your site and guide you through any approvals needed, so nothing is turned down after you have set your heart on it.

A great deal. The design, the material, the shape, the inscription and the lettering style can all be chosen, and our stonemasons cut, polish and engrave to order. Memorial plaques can carry a favourite photograph. Different materials suit different lettering, so we will guide you on what works well together. Some wording is subject to local rules, which we will check for you before anything is made.

It depends on the memorial and on the site. A bespoke stone memorial is made to order, and most sites need to approve the design before work can start, which adds time. Where the memorial is going on a new grave, cemeteries and churchyards usually ask for a settling period before a permanent memorial can be fitted. Your memorial specialist will give you a realistic timescale for what you have chosen and keep you updated as it progresses.

Your local funeral director is the place to start. They know the memorial sites in your area, the rules that apply and the approvals needed, and they work alongside our memorial specialists. Find your nearest branch and call whenever suits you. There is no charge for a conversation, and no expectation that you decide anything on the day.

Every memorial needs some looking after, whatever it is made of. Polished materials are generally the easiest to keep clean. Granite is hard-wearing and non-porous, while marble and natural stone are softer and more affected by their surroundings, so a grave near a tree or hedge can suffer from sap and fallen leaves. Gentle cleaning with water and a soft brush is usually enough. Avoid harsh chemicals, and ask us before using anything stronger.