New Memorials

Getting started is simple. Reach us through our contact form or give us a call - we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

As much help and advice as you want, with no obligation.

Buying a memorial is a very personal process, and every one of our customers is unique.  You may have an idea of what you want to look at or, like most people, have no idea of what is involved in purchasing a memorial.  Either way, the process is as straightforward as you need it to be.  There is a great deal of choice available, and Cemetery and Church regulations to be adhered to, but our specialist advisors can help you through from start to finish.

We can spend as much time as you need to discuss your purchase, give you clear information and as much help as you need.  We can come to you – either personally or via the phone, post or email – whatever is most convenient for you.

We are always as competitive as possible, and we will always try to match any quotation you have received from elsewhere. We will happily check that we have quoted on a like-for-like basis and explain any differences.

We offer a huge range of traditional and contemporary memorials, in a range of beautiful colours.  Many people like to browse through brochures and catalogues before choosing, others like to be involved in designing their own, unique tribute to their loved one.  

We also have to consider the regulations in each Cemetery or Churchyard, and apply for permission to erect any memorial.  The authorities charge fees for this, but we can advise on how these rules affect your purchase, and what costs are involved.  We do all the necessary paperwork, and you don’t have to worry about this.

All these services are completely free of charge and without any obligation whatsoever.

When we have arrived at a solution, we can then prepare your quotation.  We have sophisticated design facilities available to help get your ideas down on paper, giving you a clear picture of what your memorial will look like. This will show clearly the memorial chosen and the costs involved, including any fees payable to the relevant authority.  You will also receive a detailed layout of your chosen inscription. We will be happy to make any changes necessary as we progress.

Quite often, much of this can be done on your first consultation, as the process is not as complicated as it sounds.

We are always as competitive as possible, but we will always try to match any quotation you have received from elsewhere.  We will happily check that we have quoted on a like-for-like basis and explain any differences.  Specifications can vary wildly and often this is why some memorial quotations can appear to be cheaper or better value than others.

If you are uncertain of any of the terminology or procedures, please ask for clarification.

A little later on in the process, there is a bit of “red tape” to be dealt with, but we deal with all this on your behalf, and all you need to do is check and sign a couple of simple documents.

For example, we need to obtain permission from the local authority (either your council or church) to carry out the work. They charge a fee for this, and a form needs to be completed. We do this for you, and include their fee on our quote. The legal grave owner (often the next of kin) needs to sign this form.

If you are uncertain of any of the terminology or procedures, please ask for clarification.

We don’t do anything without your complete approval. We can produce artwork showing what your completed memorial will look like, and this can be worked on and changed until you are completely happy.

Once you are satisfied with everything we will then ask you to confirm your order and place your deposit payment.

We will send you a copy of your order to sign, detailing all that we have discussed.  We can send you the order electronically via XodoSign, which is secure, so you can sign the forms on your tablet, phone or pc. We will post the paperwork to you if you prefer, or you can sign everything in person.

We normally ask for a deposit of around 50% of the order value, plus any Cemetery or Church fees, and you can pay this any way you like. Bank transfer is easiest – our bank details are on your order paperwork - but we also use GoCardless, Stripe or PayPal if you need them.

You can also pay with your card, via telephone or personally - we accept all major debit/credit cards except American Express.  You can also pay by cash or cheque, and you don’t pay any more until the work is completed.

Normally the grave owner also has to sign the memorial permit application form, and we will give you a copy of this too.

All this takes time, and there is always a delay in placing a memorial in the cemetery or churchyard. In the case of a burial it is sensible to allow the ground to settle properly, and this depends on a number of factors.

Usually, our work schedules allow for a 6 – 9 month wait after a burial and the cemetery authority may insist on this waiting time.

On the other hand, cremation memorials can usually be installed within just a few weeks.

The majority of memorials are specially manufactured to your order.  There is usually a delivery period of 16-20 weeks, while the memorial is produced and erected. In any event, local authorities will not allow a memorial to be erected for 6-9 months from the date of burial, and our delivery times allow for this.

If we have the memorial in stock, or for items such as vases and tablets, this process may take less time.  Due to the nature of the process we are unable to promise that a memorial will be erected by any given date, although we will always try our best to help if we can.

Like any specially manufactured item, bespoke orders are considered final and deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE once orders are committed to manufacture. A design and consultation fee will apply to all cancelled orders.

When your memorial has been installed we will send you our final invoice, which you can settle by any of the methods detailed in Step 4. We can then discuss future memorial care and maintenance if you wish.

Memorial insurance is also available if you require it, available from Stoneguard. Although we do not sell these policies directly, they are extremely popular and we are happy to recommend them. Please see below for more details.

Generally it is wise to wait at least 6-9 months to allow the ground to settle. South Gloucestershire Council, for example, now insist on a delay of 9 months on a full burial and our delivery times allow for this.

However this does not prevent you ordering earlier in this period, as some memorials can take a considerable time to produce.

Cremation memorials, on the other hand, can be installed almost immediately and the order completion is determined by how long it will take to manufacture the memorial.

We have been in this industry for over 40 years, and believe we offer the best memorials you can buy. As members of the National Association of Memorial Masons, we are also guided by a strict Code of Practice. This covers the way we design and construct our memorials, and how we conduct our business. Our memorials are guaranteed for 10 years (subject to reasonable conditions) for any problems with materials and workmanship. Please also read our Terms and Conditions of Sale for full information.

For complete peace of mind in the future we suggest very reasonable, all-risks cover from Stoneguard, the market leader in memorial insurance. Premiums are based on a small percentage of the cost of the memorial, and we are happy to recommend this policy. Please contact us for further information.