Cemetery headstones and memorials in Essex and Suffolk
In a cemetery, a wide choice of materials, shapes and finishes are permitted. Each application must be approved by the cemetery manager and will have to comply with their own individual regulations. An application fee will be required by the burial authority before any permission is granted. We will advise you of any rules and regulations that apply and guide you through this process.
We can also advise on the choice of memorial for a cemetery dedicated to a specific faith, such as a Jewish or Muslim cemetery.
There are two main types of memorials used in a cemetery; a headstone or a kerbset.
Headstones
A headstone, or gravestone, is perhaps the most a familiar form of memorial to most of us. It consists of an upright stone, which rests on a base made of the same material. The headstone is set in place using an anchor which keeps it upright over time. It is important to allow the ground to settle after a burial, to ensure that the headstone is secure. If it is installed too soon after the funeral, the ground may shift, causing the stone to topple.
Until sufficient time has passed to erect a headstone, a simple grave marker will be placed on the grave to carry the details of the deceased. We will advise you as to the best time scale, and keep you advised throughout the process.
Headstones come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. You will be able to choose the design, the stone, the finish, the font, the inscription and other details, all of which will combine to create a truly individual memorial. It is also possible to include illustrations, a photograph, or even a QR code with a link to a memorial website.
Kerbsets
A kerbset is the term used for a memorial which has a stone border, or kerb, around the outline of the burial plot, in addition to a headstone. These are still approved for use in most cemeteries, although they have not been permitted in churchyards for some years. As with the headstone, it is necessary to allow time for the ground to settle firmly before this is installed.
All the same choices are possible with a headstone plus a kerbset as with a standard headstone. The kerb surrounding the grave can be constructed of the same material for a truly co-ordinated overall look. Your memorial adviser will be pleased to talk you through the options.
Budget Memorials
While it can be helpful to have a place to visit and remember, we know that for some clients a headstone or memorial seems a large purchase. We therefore offer a budget memorial option of a simple headstone, with lettering but no illustration. Our budget option is this simple ogee top contour headstone in polished black granite.
Cost: £699.00 INCL. VAT This price includes fitting in accordance with the NAMM regulations, but does not include third party disbursements such as cemetery fees.
An inscription of up to 60 cut and enamelled silver letters is included in the price of our budget option. If you require more than 60 letters, these can be provided at a cost of £2.20 per additional letter. Please note that no illustration or decorative design can be included.
For any other type of memorial please refer to our brochures, or feel free to discuss your options with your funeral arranger, or one of our memorial advisers. We also provide a budget option for churchyards, but this cannot be a polished stone. Please ask us for details.
For help and advice, please call us on 01206 794747, email memorials@hunnaball.co.uk or talk to your funeral arranger.
