When searching for a reliable memorial stonemason, there are several important factors to consider. It’s crucial to assess their experience in monumental stonemasonry, any accreditations they may have, their level of craftsmanship, product quality, and familiarity with the cemetery where the headstone will be placed. Equally essential is feeling comfortable working with the stonemasons to design and create the perfect memorial for your loved one.

It’s worth noting that most memorial stonemasons require a deposit upon placing an order. Therefore, it’s essential to have confidence in the stonemasons’ ability to complete the work and remain in business to avoid losing your deposit. Opting for an established memorial mason directly, rather than going through a middleman like a funeral director, can also help avoid additional costs.

Ultimately, selecting a reputable and well-established memorial stonemason will ensure peace of mind and guarantee that your loved one’s memorial is crafted to the highest standard.

We can certainly go through your options in great detail to help you reach a decision on which rustic or hand-carved headstone you should choose. We can highlight the benefits of different soft stones that are more suited to hand carving, show you a variety of rustic headstone styles and designs that meet your requirements, and discuss the range of detailing options that are available for each particular headstone.

The best material to use when crafting a hand carved headstone is a soft stone. Most hand carved headstones are crafted using limestone or sandstone as these stones are much softer and far easier to carve than harder stones such as granite. Which stone material you should choose will come down to the type of colour, tone, and texture that best suits your taste. The location the headstone is to be installed in should also be taken into consideration as softer stones are more prone to deteriorating faster in certain environments. That isn’t to say that certain stone materials should be immediately ruled out based on where it’ll be installed (such as underneath a tree where the memorial may be prone to falling leaves & debris during certain seasons), but that you may want to take into account the upkeep of the memorial – there are memorial aftercare services available you may want to consider to ensure the headstone is kept in the best condition possible throughout the year.  

Alternatively, we are able to offer a wide variety of rustic-inspired headstone designs that can be crafted from the more durable granite stone.

In the vast majority of cases the answer is yes. Our memorial stonemasons are very experienced and highly skilled, so we are able to meet bespoke requirements and recreate any kerb set design for any grave dimensions. Simply provide us with an image and/or an idea of what you are looking for, and we will do our very best to help.

In the vast majority of cases the answer is yes. Our memorial stonemasons are very experienced and highly skilled, so we are able to meet bespoke requirements and recreate or hand-carve any headstone design. Simply provide us with an image and/or an idea of what you are looking for, and we will do our very best to help. Many people choose a rustic or hand-carved headstone as they want the memorial to be truly unique and different from others, so this is something we fully understand and would be more than happy to discuss with you. Alternatively, you may want us to replicate a rustic or hand-carved headstone design that you saw elsewhere and really liked and this is something we can also easily accommodate.

The design and creation of any headstone, be it hand carved or machine cut, and the engraving of its inscription is a highly skilled process. This means we can expect it to take some time before any rustic or hand-carved headstone is complete following the order – certainly several weeks, and perhaps months. The timeframe will also depend on the current demand and accessibility of the stone material you choose, so for a more accurate answer you will be best served asking for an up-to-date estimated lead time at the time of order.

Yes, you can certainly add something to any existing rustic or hand-carved headstone. This could be a special design or etching, or an additional inscription or change of font. Whatever it may be, we can discuss your requirements and confirm what headstone amendments can be carried out dependant on your particular memorial and the stone it has been crafted from.

The truth is, there really is no accurate average cost of a headstone, regardless of whether it is hand carved or specifically crafted into a rustic design. This is because each headstone is unique, and the cost will vary based on the material, size, headstone type and more rather than just labour involved. For an accurate quote, we would advise you contact a representative so that we can take the specific details you require beforehand.

One thing we can confirm upfront is our price promise – we are confident that our prices are the most competitive around and offer a discount should a customer find the same quality product elsewhere, so long as it’s supplied by a recognised and reputable memorial mason or funeral director.

Certainly, all of our upright headstones as well as any other type of memorial come with our 30-year guarantee.

Yes, we are BRAMM (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons) approved, and a registered and fully licensed memorial mason with over 100 years industry experience having first established ourselves way back in 1920.

Prior to production, we can supply you with design proofs of the rustic or hand-carved headstone. In the event that you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the design, we can modify the layout or style until it aligns with your specifications. We recognise the importance of crafting the perfect rustic or hand-carved headstone for you and your loved one and are dedicated to collaborating with you closely throughout the entire process.

We have experience in shipping memorials overseas, but it’s important to note that there are additional expenses involved. These may include specialised packaging, insurance, and taxes or fees.