Gates of Heaven

Please Note: Prices may vary depending on choice of stone colours/types/sizes please call Art Craft Memorials on 02380 390 323 for more information.

How Soon Can I Erect A Headstone After Burial?
Before placing a memorial headstone directly onto a burial grave to remember a loved one, there is a recommended waiting period of at least 6 months. However, this is a minimum recommendation; we advise waiting a little longer (around 12 months), as this will better allow for the ground to settle. This advised wait period of between 6 to 12 months is not only to ensure the earth has had time to settle, but to also give the best possible chance of preventing grave sinking. Headstones that are erected too early can cause grave subsidence or sinking, and increase the risk of the headstone leaning forward over time. Grave sinking can be very distressing and understandably you want a nice, peaceful place to visit your loved one.

For cremated remains, there is not an advised waiting period before a memorial is erected. Memorial headstones for cremated remains can be immediately fitted after the burial of ashes. In addition, if there is a concrete plinth at the back of the grave, a headstone can be fitted immediately after the burial and no wait period is required.
Art Craft Memorial will always check with the cemetery and advise on their regulations as some cemeteries apply different regulations.

How Long Will It Take?
If your memorial is in stock within 10-12 weeks. If your memorial has to be made to order 16-20 weeks. If you require a memorial completing in less than 10 weeks please call us with your requirements 02380 390 323.

Are There Any Extra Costs To Be Added?
If you require more characters then the 100 provided for free. Additional characters are charged at £1.80 each.
Cemetery or Crematoria fees are not a standard price but if you tell us the Name and grave location details we will be able to find out for you. Alternatively, the cemetery would be able to give you the information.

Placing Your Memorial Stone Order?
Most orders are either placed over the telephone or by email. Please call 02380 390 323 or email hello@artcraftmemorials.co.uk. Provide as much information as you can, Cemetery location, grave number (if known), memorial stone name or number you would like and if you know the wording you would like to include this will really help.
Art Craft Memorials will then send a no obligation quotation which will outline all of the costs. If all is agreeable an invoice will be emailed which a 50% deposit is required plus the cemetery fee. Once a deposit has been received, we then create a visual proof for you to check, you will be able to make as many changes as you need to so, please do not fee pressured. Once you are happy with the design, we will then complete the cemetery ‘Right to erect a memorial’ application on your behalf. This will be sent to the local Parish for approval, once the application has been approved, we will action the stone order and provide a rough estimate on delivery. Final payment is required 1 week before placing the memorial at the cemetery.

Preferred payment method is by Bacs, Bank transferer, alternatively a cheque can be posted. Payments can be made over the telephone but they do incur a small charge. Example. Card payment £1000 (1.4% + £0.20) fee £14.40.

Which Letter Colours Last The Longets?
The letters for your inscription can be simply cut into the stone and left plain or they can be painted black, white, silver or gilded with gold leaf. They are all equally resilient to the weather but conditions will vary from location to location so the colour chosen should be based simply on personal choice. It is also worth noting that lettering which is placed on flat surfaces (i.e. on the top of a headstone base) will weather more quickly than those on the face of the headstone.

Do They Come In Different Sizes?
Standard overall height for most memorials are 2ft 6″ or 3ft but we can customise our designs to whatever size or material you need, subject to availability and approval by the cemetery. Each memorial show on our web site can be adjusted in size, design and colour to suit any requirements. Please note, prices do can depending on finish and colour.

Do You Offer Colour Samples?
We under stand how important it is to create that perfect memorial, if you are not sure which colour stone would make the perfect lasting tribute, we can provide colour stone swatch samples that will be posted to you so you can see exactly how the finish will look. Photographs can also be emailed of previous memorials to help with your selection to. You may also like to visit us at our workshop to see an example in person, we only hold a few memorials in stock but you are always more than welcome to come and meet us in person. Please do call to book an appointment as we are often working away at different cemeteries across the South coast.

Do You Offer Insurance?
StoneGuard has been the original and leading Memorial Stone Insurance for over 25 years and is available through Bridge Insurance Brokers Ltd and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Plc.

StoneGuard offer an “All Risks” policy including Vandalism, Impact, Subsidence, Theft and Storm, ensuring that any damage to the grave of a loved one is rectified very quickly – from minor repairs to total replacement.

The cost of this long-established insurance scheme can be as little as £5.60 per year, on a renewable 5-year term. No premium to pay. For more details, please visit here.

https://www.bridgeinsurance.co.uk/scheme/stoneguard/

Can A Memorial Be Exported?
Yes. You will need to make the shipping arrangements yourself but we are happy to liaise with an agent about timings and crate up your memorial ready for collection.