A Guide to Memorial Stones

Thankfully planning a funeral is not something many of us will do often in our life. However, this means that when you come to do so, the amount to be organised and the wealth of decisions to be made can feel quite overwhelming.

For a funeral that reflects the spirit and personality of the person being remembered, there is a vast array of choice available. From location of the venue to the type of service, there are a multitude of options open to you and your loved ones.

At County Stone, we are proud to offer a wide range of memorial stones, making it as easy as possible to find one which best represents the person you are remembering and which will offer a lasting reminder and comfort in years to come. To help you understand some of the choices available to you, we’ve taken a look at the type of memorial stones we offer.

Traditional headstone

A traditional headstone is what many of us will be familiar with when we consider a church funeral. A stone piece, made from either marble, granite, limestone or slate, it’s large enough to allow for a fitting tribute to be engraved. Our headstones come in a variety of tasteful colours and prices start from around £700.

Traditional kerb set

A kerb set memorial stone is ideal if you want something which blends into the surroundings and allows nature to be a focal point. Rectangular in shape, the middle of the stone is missing to allow for grass and flowers to grow or it can be filled with chippings. Due to the length, some churches and cemeteries do not allow traditional kerb set memorial stones, so do check before you make your choice. Prices start from £2350 and many of our traditional kerb sets can be engraved to enable you to include a personal dedication.

Children’s memorials

Although there is nothing more devastating than the loss of a child, our range of tasteful and emotive children’s memorial stones allow you to have a place where you can remember them. Children’s memorial stones are created to reflect the young of age and feature teddy bear and angel designs. A little smaller than a traditional headstone there is still plenty of room for an engraving. Prices start from £750.

Crematorium stones

Many crematoriums have spaces for quiet reflection where an engraved stone honouring your loved one can be placed. These stones are small but can be engraved with a dedication. Many also come with flower holders so you can leave floral tributes when you visit. Prices start from £900.

Memorial vases

Memorial vases can be placed alongside a traditional headstone or you may just wish to have the vase stand alone. Our memorial vases are made from an choice of stone, all of which are strong and built to withstand the elements. Many have room for a small inscription and prices start from just £100.

Things to consider when selecting a memorial stone

When making a choice of memorial stone, there are a few things to consider. Think about where the stone will be placed and what the other stones nearby are like. Also consider the elements that the stone will be subjected to. An area very exposed to rain and wind requires a longer-lasting stone, such as marble, to ensure it stays looking as good as new for years to come.

In addition, think about the words you would like to place on the stone. If you don’t want to say too much, consider a smaller stone and a small inscription, rather than a large stone on which you may struggle to know what to write.

How to order a memorial stone

At County Stone, our aim is to make this process as easy for you as possible. Our full range of memorial stones are available to view on our website or feel free to call us and speak to one of our experienced staff. Once you have chosen your memorial stone and told us where you will want it placed, we will liaise directly with the church, cemetery or crematorium to ensure the stone you have selected is suitable. It can then take anything from 4 – 20 weeks for your stone to be ready, and as soon as it is we will make you aware and advise you of when it will be installed. We recommend that you don’t attend the installation and instead visit the stone once it is in place.

If you would like some help and support as to which memorial stone is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact us today.