Memorial masonry
Headstones and memorial monuments, lovingly designed with you and expertly crafted by our traditional stonemasons to create the perfect tribute.
A lasting memorial for your loved one’s final resting place
Choosing a memorial is very personal and there are lots of things to consider. As with our funerals, we’ll walk you through each step of the process to make sure you get the tribute you want for you and your loved one.
You don’t have to have arranged the funeral with us, we can help anyone with memorial masonry.
Designing a memorial
When you’re ready, we’ll talk about what you’d like and show you the various options to help you achieve it.
It can feel hard to decide on such a lasting tribute, and there’s often a need to balance costs and differing opinions. We’ll work with you to see what’s possible and find a compromise that works for everyone.
Our expert stonemasons work with many different materials to offer a large range of choices. Our stone shapes range from traditional to modern, and if you’d like something completely unique, we can help you to turn your ideas into a beautifully bespoke memorial.
We’ll talk through all of the options with you, but you can also take a look at our range of memorials if you’d like.
When to start thinking about memorial masonry
There’s no right or wrong time, but it’s helpful to bear in mind a couple of things.
- For headstones and kerb sets after a burial, it’s recommended that you wait 6 to 12 months (depending on the location) so that the ground can settle and provide a firm foundation for the stone.
- Memorial masonry can take anything from 3 to 6 months to make depending on the intricacy, material and size, so it’s good to bear this in mind if you’d like the memorial ready for a particular date.
Permits
Memorials in churchyards and cemeteries may need a permit from the local authority. We’ll make sure your masonry meets the requirements and complete the permit application on your behalf so that you don’t need to worry about it.
Making the memorial
Once you’re happy with the final design, our expert stonemasons will then carefully craft the stonework at our workshops in Hampshire and Dorset.
How long does it take to make the headstone, tablet or statue?
When you place the final order, we’ll tell you how long it’s likely to take. As a rough guide, tablets usually take around 10 to 12 weeks to create. Headstones and statues usually take around 20 weeks.
Installation
When the memorial is ready, we’ll arrange installation directly with the cemetery or churchyard. We’ll place your loved one’s memorial with care and consideration, exactly as you would expect, and let you know when it’s ready.
Protecting the memorial for the future
Once the memorial is in place, there are a couple of ways you can protect the memorial and prevent any costly repair work in the future. Find out more about masonry maintenance and cleaning services, and headstone insurance.
Existing memorials
If you need to make additions to an existing headstone, please let us know as soon as possible after your loved one has died – it is usually necessary to remove the stone before the funeral. We recommend that we keep it safely for you. When you’re ready, we can then give you a quote, carry out the work and put it back.
Ask us about memorial masonry
Whether you’re ready to talk about a new memorial, need to make additions to one already in place, or to talk about care and repair, we’re here to help.