Headstones

When can we place a headstone on the grave?

Following a burial, it is usually recommended that the ground is allowed to settle and become firm before a permanent headstone is installed. This is commonly around 12 months after the burial, helping to ensure that the memorial can be positioned safely and securely once the ground has sufficiently settled.

Depending on the type of grave purchased and the regulations of the cemetery, you may choose a traditional upright headstone, which stands on a smaller stone base, or a full surround memorial, often referred to as a kerbed or kerb-set headstone. A kerbed memorial extends around the entire grave, creating an impressive and beautifully defined resting place with additional opportunities for individual design and personalisation.

Cremated Remains Headstone

For families choosing cremation, smaller memorial headstones are also available for cremated remains graves. These graves will typically accommodate up to six sets of cremated remains, depending on the individual cemetery and grave purchased.

Although the memorial is smaller, it can incorporate many of the same beautiful features available with a full burial headstone,

including personalised inscriptions, photographs, images, decorative designs and different stone finishes.

Memorials can also incorporate flower pots, just as burial headstones can, giving families a dedicated place to visit their loved one and leave fresh flowers or other floral offerings in their memory.

Memorial headstones can start from approximately £1,000, with larger, more elaborate and bespoke designs running into several thousands of pounds. The final price is determined by a number of variables, including the type and quality of stone, size and complexity of the memorial, manufacturing, inscriptions—which are commonly charged per letter—photographs and images, decorative detailing, installation and the cemetery permit fees required before a memorial can be placed.