Granite Memorial Stone

icicles

I am not sure where to post this request.

I need to purchase a dark grey granite grave stone and kerb memorial for my parents. Funeral directors hand out brochures and place the order with a company that actually make the memorial with a considerable mark up. There is no control over what I will actually receive until it is fully paid for prior to delivery. I want to be able to go direct to the manufacturer to see the colour of granite available because there are vastly differing shades and varieties which can affect the appearance of the engraved letters.

I live in East Surrey and am prepared to travel a reasonable distance. Does anyone know of or has used a true stonemason that has a good reputation and will deliver as promised?

Your help and experiences will be gratefully received.

Errata

Have a chat with a local Monumental mason ?

scotsbob

I don't know of one local to you but suggest you try their organisation

http://www.stonefed.org.uk/

You are quite correct to steer clear of undertakers you also want to make sure the stone is actually engraved. There is a growing tendency to have raised letters just stuck to the stone. This is cheap and easy but does not really require a craftsman.

pjb2u

I used interestfreememorials.co.uk prices seemed to be ok but you have to apply first and they will find out a price from their members

icicles

pjb2u wrote: »

I used interestfreememorials.co.uk prices seemed to be ok but you have to apply first and they will find out a price from their members

Many thanks for your information, I will check it out. So far it seems that most of the memorials are imported & only the inscriptions are engraved here.

dandare

hi there, i happen to be a stonemason/lettercarver. i'm no where near ye and not trying to promote my services to ye. the norm is to have granite(usually cheap stuff) sandblasted with generic text. graveyards and memorials should be a personal/thought out piece to reflect the person passed and act as a comfort to those who visit it. try http://www.memorialsbyartists.co.uk/home/ have a look at the artists on here there may be something to inspire ye. the price range can vary greatly depending on the requirements but ye'll find that a unique hand carved piece without too much carving is not too far apart in cost to the generic black slabs that seem to dominate graveyards in recent years.

gilly3

I agree that you need to be able to see the materials involved in your design.
The only place I can think of is in South West London - just down the road from St Georges Hospital. It is a Memorial Masons. You can have a look on google earth. They have various headstones on display and I think a couple of full sized ones as well.

I have used them once, (about 18 years ago) We found a similar style to what we wanted in a book somewhere else and they were able to 'do/carve' exactly what we wanted in White marble. From memory they were very helpful and I'm sure also spoke with the cemetery possibly about regulations - I really can't remember.

They have the same name as years ago - but I do not know if still the same company or just kept the name.

I will say that the full gravestone still looks very nice especially after we had it cleaned last year by a different specialist company.

I am not related or employed in any shape or form with this company- I am only a previous customer.

Hope it helps and you find what you are looking for.

icicles

As a 'Newbie' I am not sure how to say thank you for your very useful information so am trying 2 ways. I am looking forward to checking this out and it is not too far to visit.

Savvy_Sue

You should be able to see a 'Thanks' button at the bottom of every post (other than your own), so clicking on that will enable people to see that you've been back and noted the information.

Although a 'thank you' post such as you've done is fine too ...