Things to consider when planning a memorial.

The memorial you choose for the person you are remembering is going to last many years so it is very important that you take time and care making decisions about the material, the design, the type of lettering and the choice of wording to be engraved. We can provide advice and help throughout the process.

Which material?
The coloured granites are very popular and hard-wearing for cemeteries but not permitted in most churchyards. White Sicilian marble is a good choice but, again, is not allowed in churchyards, where off-white Nabresina limestone makes a good substitute. Other types of stone such as brown York stone and Portland stone are also widely used. These two, together with limestone, unpolished grey granite and slate are all permitted in churchyards. Visit our workshop to see examples.

Which design?
There are many styles illustrated but we are always pleased to quote for a unique design to your own specification. Our own designs are shown on pages 4 - 7, or choose one from our suppliers’ catalogues which are available on request. Again, the regulations of cemeteries and churchyards preclude some designs; we can advise you about what is permitted where.

Type of lettering
To some extent this is governed by your choice of material. For instance, with black polished granite the letters would often be incised and gilded with gold leaf. If the material is white marble a good type of lettering is incised and flush-lead filled. Churchyards will only allow incised letters or incised and painted.

Choice of wording
Once the inscription is cut it is there forever, so take time and care in composing what you want to say. Perhaps visit the cemetery or churchyard and see what other people have chosen, but don’t be afraid to be original. Once the inscription is marked out on the stone we invite you to come and see it, before it is cut.

Where is the grave?
All municipal cemeteries have rules about the type of memorials they will allow, mainly to do with maximum and minimum dimensions. We will be pleased to advise what is allowed where.

Similarly, there are regulations which have to be followed in churchyards. All Anglican churchyards in this part of East Sussex are obliged to follow the directions on this matter which are issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Chichester. Unfortunately, each incumbent must interpret the directions as he or she sees fit - a situation which does cause confusion over what is and what isn't allowed. Again, we are able to advise if a particular material or design is permitted in a particular churchyard. In general though, white marble and the dark, polished granites are not permitted. Neither are leaded letters.

Graves in Cemeteries - Cemeteries are owned by local authorities or private companies. Their regulations apply.

Graves in Churchyards - Regulations of the Diocese of Chichester apply.