Questions

A memorial is a lasting tribute created to honour and remember someone who has died. It serves as a physical reminder of their life, offering family and friends a place to reflect, remember, and pay their respects. Memorials can take many different forms — from traditional headstones and kerb sets in cemeteries or churchyards, to cremation plaques, garden memorials, benches, or even bespoke designs that reflect a person’s character, beliefs, or passions.

The purpose of a memorial goes beyond marking a resting place. It tells a story — through the choice of words, design, material, and symbolism. Whether simple and traditional or personalised and unique, a memorial is a way of keeping memories alive and ensuring a loved one’s legacy endures for generations to come.

There are many different types of memorials available, allowing families to choose something that best reflects their loved one and provides a fitting place of remembrance. Common options include:

• Headstones – traditional upright stones, often placed at a grave.

• Kerb sets – full-length memorials that frame the grave with stone.

• Cremation memorials – smaller plaques, tablets, or markers for cremated remains.

• Plaques and tablets – flat memorials, which can be set into the ground, walls, or gardens of remembrance.

• Benches – memorial seating placed in cemeteries, churchyards, or special locations.

• Garden memorials – stones, birdbaths, or ornaments for private gardens.

• Bespoke designs – unique memorials shaped or decorated to reflect a person’s hobbies, faith, or personality.

Each type of memorial can be crafted from a variety of materials, such as granite, marble, or slate, and can be personalised with inscriptions, carvings, or images.

Yes — a memorial can be fully personalised to reflect the individuality of your loved one. Families can choose from a wide range of options, including the material, shape, size, and finish of the memorial. The inscription can be tailored with meaningful wording, poems, or verses, and additional elements such as engraved designs, symbols, or photographs can also be included.

Some families choose simple, traditional designs, while others prefer something more unique — such as carvings of flowers, religious symbols, hobbies, or even bespoke artwork. The goal is to create a memorial that feels personal and fitting, serving as both a place of remembrance and a lasting tribute that tells their story.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Yes — in most cases, an existing memorial can be added to or updated. Families often choose to have an additional inscription engraved when another loved one is laid to rest in the same grave, or to include extra wording such as a favourite quote, poem, or line of remembrance. Memorials can also be cleaned, restored, or refurbished to bring them back to their original condition, and in some cases repaired if they’ve weathered or become damaged over time.

Your memorial mason or funeral director will guide you through what is possible, including any permissions needed from the cemetery or churchyard. This ensures that updates are done respectfully, following the correct regulations, while keeping the memorial’s original style and character intact.

Yes — most cemeteries and churchyards have rules and regulations about what types of memorials are allowed. These can cover things like the size, shape, and material of the memorial, as well as the style of inscriptions or decorations. For example, some churchyards may only permit natural stone in certain colours, while cemeteries often have limits on height or design features.

These rules are in place to keep the grounds safe, consistent, and respectful for everyone. At the same time, within those guidelines there is usually plenty of room to make a memorial personal and unique. Your funeral director or memorial mason will explain the specific regulations for your chosen place of rest and help you design something that is both meaningful and approved.