Please spend a few minutes reading through the process of buying a memorials, headstones or gravestones - you should find it useful.

Choosing a memorial..

A memorial is a lasting monument and a tribute to a person's life, and should be chosen carefully.

1. Selecting a Memorial Mason.

It is always advisable to use a company which specialises in memorials masonry. They will understand stone and the process and be able to give you reliable advice as to which stone you to select for the type (click here for memorial types and shapes) of memorial you require. You need to consider the effect of weather and location of memorials.

It is always advisable to select a member of the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) as they are bound by strict Codes of Business and Working Practice and, should a dispute unfortunately arise, by the findings of a free and objective Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Members of the NAMM must have public & products liability insurance of no less than £5 million, employee liability insurance of no less than £10 million and must also give a guarantee of the stability of their memorial.

Many masons will have been accredited by NAMM to use the Code of Working Practice fixing safe memorials.

2. Consider Regulations.

Cemeteries and churchyards will probably have regulations covering the kinds of memorials, headstones and gravestones and sometimes also the inscriptions and ornamentation, they will allow. These vary from place to place and so need to be checked before any choice is made. A NAMM memorial mason will be able to assist.

There may be special areas for the burial of cremated remains. Some just have a central memorial commemorating all those buried nearby. In others, headstones or plaques can be erected on the individual plots. Again, the reputable memorial mason should have full details.

Before a memorial may be erected in a churchyard or cemetery written permission has to be obtained from its management. Your NAMM memorial mason will see to this for you.

Headstones and memorials regulations - examples

3. The Initial Enquiry

When you have selected a mason/s you should obtain a written estimate detailing all the costs involved. The estimate should include all costs - the memorial itself (with full details as to size, material etc.), the lettering, any ornamentation and finishes, the secure installation of the memorial on a proper foundation and the cemetery or churchyard fees and VAT

4. Placing the Order

Before placing the order a possibly paying a deposit, check all details are correct especially the inscription.

Afterwards…

You should remember that you are responsible for the maintenance of your memorial, headstone or gravestone and not the cemetery or churchyard management.

It is always advisable to consider insurance against damage, vandalism and theft - and to make sure the cover takes effect immediately the stone is fixed in the cemetery or churchyard. Click here for further information on headstone insurance.

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