Headstones

[jackthehat]

Just a quickie.....

We have a 'family plot' in a churchyard which contains 3x burials and 3x cremations. Apart from the original occupant (my g.grandfather) none of the others are shown as being there. We wish to erect a headstone giving the details of each of them. 

Does anyone have recent experience of the costs involved in purchasing the stone and getting it engraved?

We want nothing fancy (the churchyard frowns upon frippery and excess) but, obviously, there will be a lot of lettering involved and the stone used has to be functional rather than striking.

Many thanks.

[zebo]

I had one done a couple of years ago, it cost around £1000, it was only a slab after a cremation though.  The lettering was pricey, maybe £3 per letter.

If you go to a local monumental mason's place they will know all the rules and regs regarding your local Churchyard, they can be very prescriptive and if you go for an online provider they may not know the local rules.  Alternatively the Church warden  should be able to advice you.

[barry1010]

You will have to check the erection fees with the cemetery, too.  It should be available online

[jackthehat]

We have contacted the church and have dealt with that side of things.

It is just information about the purchase of the headstone, etc. for which we would be grateful.

[barry1010]

As a guide these prices include 90 letters

https://abbeymemorialsltd.co.uk/product-category/lawn-headstone-memorials/

[jeanyb]

We had a replacement headstone 4 years ago for 3 family members,inscription  approximately 90 letters including dates ....

"The cost of an for a new replacement stone is as follows

All polished Light Grey Granite Headstone and base,
Inscription as chosen in grey enamel paint, foundation and fixing
with a ground anchor system for the sum £800.00

Churchyard Fee £27.00"

[jackthehat]

Thanks.

I think the minimum amount of letters (without resorting to 'text-speak') we can get away with is 203.

Looks like the inscription will cost almost as much as the headstone. LoL

 

[barry1010]

My friend had a QR code on his brother's headstone.  It showed photos of him at different ages and gave a biography of his life.

I liked the idea but don't know how long QR codes will be a thing, might go the way of Betamax and floppy discs.

 

[jackthehat]

Really, Barry?

I suggested that as a 'humorous' solution to my parents. I didn't realsie that it was actually a 'thing'. LoL

I agree that whilst it might be a solution now the longevity of such an approach is not assured.

[jno]

here you go, jack

https://www.digital-gravestones.co.uk/

I don't know  that engraved lettering lasts for ever either, of course.

[barry1010]

Wouldn't it be lovely if every headstone had a QR code? 

Of course our decendants will be able to look at our photos and videos online long after we've passed.  Maybe. 

[jno]

one's enemies might be tempted to switch one's QR code for that of, say, Jack the Ripper. I wouldn't put it past those wily Chinese.

[jackthehat]

Jno!!! 😀

That is a stunning find. Thank you so much.

I am sure we could do a 'combination' headstone with the names carved as per tradition with the other details (dates, etc.) held in 'tinterweb via the QR code. 

Definitely something to think about.

[jno]

you could just write "Google them", I suppose...

[Spungle]

I recently purchased a headstone for my parents- realistically, to get a simple headstone and engraving you are probably looking at anything from around £700 upwards.  

[barry1010]

That's the company my friend used, it is very tastefully done

[Barmaid]

I regularly see the cost of headstones in estate accounts - generally you won't get much change out of £1,000 and could be quite a bit more.

As someone who spends an inordinate amount of time searching around graveyards for long dead relatives please please choose something that will endure.  There is nothing more infuriating than finding a headstone and being able to make out that the surname is one of yours but everything else has faded into obsurity because the stone used is porous or the lettering was too shallow. I know you get this though!!!!!!

[jackthehat]

I was doing just that yesterday, bm.

Anyone who would care to investigate this twig of the family tree would be completely unaware of who was in the plot.

Even the church had no records of one of my aunts being buried there. Luckily we were able to persuade the current vicar that as we had attended the funeral/burial ourselves, we could confirm her mortal remains were interred in his churchyard.

 

[barry1010]

Maybe this should be a separate thread but I have always wondered why birth certificates aren't 'attached' to death certificates where possible 

[bednobs]

recently purchased a headstone, around 110 characters plus a photo and it was iro £3000

mind you, it was made out of slate as i hate those super-shiny granite ones.

what about a headstone with a plaque attached?

[bednobs]

that was including erection and cemetery fees