Checklist
Things you should know before proceeding with your order
Cemeteries across the UK have their own rules and regulations on what they will allow to be installed in their cemetery. Therefore it is very important for you as the customer to understand and have a copy in writing of their rules and regulations. If the rules and regulations of your cemetery are not followed, the cemetery has the right to refuse setting or even delivery of your headstone.
To spare yourself any potential headache we ask you to please read through the cemetery’s rules and regulations. You should have received one when you purchased the plot in the cemetery. If you didn’t receive the rules and regulations then you should request them as soon as possible.
If you haven’t yet purchased a plot you can still request the rules and regulations ahead of your purchase. By law the cemetery is required to provide you with a copy of their rules and regulations when you ask for it.
To ensure everything is ship-shape here is a quick checklist we ask you to follow.
- You should know if the grave plot you are going to be using is a single, companion, baby or cremation plot. You will also need to know the location (which section or garden plot) it is going to be in. This will help you determine the required size.
- You should know what the headstone is required to be made of. Some cemeteries are very specific and will not allow any other materials than what they’ve listed in the rules and regulations. It may be granite, marble, bronze or something similar.
- You should know the size you are required to use for both the base and the stone. You should also know the maximum and minimum height including the base, the maximum and minimum width of the headstone, and the maximum and minimum width of the base. Also there may be a maximum depth for any ornamental accessories.
- You should know if there are any required markings or engravings on your headstone or base. Some cemeteries require a cross or other religious symbols. Some require the grave location code to be engraved at a specific location.
- You should know if there are any restrictions on colours that can be used for the headstone and or base. Some cemeteries have specific colour requirements depending on the grave site location.
- You should know if photographs are allowed and if are there any limitations on other graphics and or colours? Some cemeteries do not allow colours and demand everything to be black and white. If you are planning an elaborate design it might be good to run that design by the cemetery before placing the order.
- You should know if the cemetery require the headstone be a certain type of edge? These would include a 2″ bevel, 2″ sanded border, lawn mover proof edge or a 2-3″ cement border.
- You should know your setting fees. In some countries almost every cemetery is the only entity allowed to set markers in their cemetery. This is for legal issues as well keeping a uniform look to their gardens. You will want to check with the cemetery to make sure your setting fees have been paid. Most cemeteries will require this to be paid in full before your headstone is delivered. Depending on the cemetery we may ask for a copy of the receipt to accompany the delivery.
- You should know if any paperwork need to be filled out before your marker is delivered? You will need to ask your cemetery if there are any forms or paperwork such as marker authorisation forms, setting forms, photo release forms or concrete border release forms. Many cemeteries will reject delivery of your marker if the correct forms have been not filled out. If you are uncertain on how to fill out the paperwork, reach out to us and one of our experts will help you fill out your paperwork.