Choosing the right Memorial and Stone Mason
Choosing a memorial headstone for a loved one can be a daunting prospect and is something that you do only once or twice in a lifetime. So consequently the right advice at a difficult time is invaluable.
Memorials of Elegance are highly skilled Stone Masons, examined and licensed by the National Association of Memorial Masons, with over 50 years of trusted experience and reputation.
Apart from your personal preference and budget, there can be certain restrictions and regulations that a particular Churchyard or Cemetery have in place. Some Churchyards insist on only York or Natural stone being used for headstones but others allow a variety of granite and marble. Lawn type memorial headstones are the most popular choice as Kerb surrounds are normally only allowed in Municipal Borough Cemeteries, but recently some Churchyards have started allowing Kerbs into certain sections.
Having said all this, care needs to be taken when choosing a memorial as well as the right Stone Mason. Very often you may be choosing it for a partner, but it may eventually be used to add your own details onto it at a later time in the future. With that in mind, cheap headstones may wish to be avoided.
Memorial Headstones can be provided without any particular design, picture or ornamentation on them, the price of these headstones are generally, less expensive.
Alternatively they can be provided with designs as shown on our Memorials page. If you would like to create a tailor-made or bespoke memorial, this can be arranged, you may also wish to take a look at our Memorial Designer.
Price can often be a factor, Lawn type memorials (i.e headstone and a base with a flower container) are generally less expensive than Kerb surround memorials, but prices can also vary depending on the type of material that the stone is made from. Cheap headstones are rarely good quality and fail to last and have a tendency to look tired within a few years.
Another variable is the lettering that is provided for a particular memorial. Cut and gilded lettering is the traditional way that a memorial is lettered but other finishes can be provided. Silver, black or white lettering can be used, depending on the colour of the memorial and how best a contrast can be shown. Some forms of lettering can be freshened up on site, whereas other types need attention in a workshop environment. We can advise you about this and provide a complete service regardless of the headstone type.
You may find it interesting taking a look at the two following pages: Renovations and Examples.
A durable form of lettering that is used is something called Relief lettering. This is lettering that is produced by taking away the polish from a black granite memorial and leaving a polished letter that is impermeable to weathering. This lettering is mostly used on cremation tablet memorials that are laid flat on the ground and are subject to more severe weathering processes.
Our skilled Stone Masons will be happy to discuss any of these choices with you, either at our premises or in the comfort of your own home.
Prices for all our memorials include the memorial, 72 letters, fixing in the Cemetery or Churchyard, provision of a NAMM approved ground anchor and sub base, all inclusive of VAT.
Please click here to view memorial headstone shapes.
