This brochure depicts some of the limitless designs, materials and carvings in groups that represent their intended use and site.

As the designs shown on these pages are representative of popular ones, it is worth remembering that any design can generally be produced in any material. Bear in mind, though, that intricate carvings usually made in marble, cannot always be reproduced in granite.

If you have seen a memorial that you like, and have a photograph or sketch of it, let us see it. We can work from that to produce something that is tailored to your taste.

Information and Advice

All cemeteries and churchyards have regulations concerning the size, design and materials that can be used in memorials. In many cases these regulations are intended to protect precious space and an environment that can be many hundreds of years old. With our local knowledge we can advise you of the designs, sizes and finishes most likely to be acceptable to the diocese or cemetery superintendent.

Generally churchyards will only accept memorials of natural stone; stones that age and mature over the years as lichens and algae, in a range of colours from reds to greens, grow on them. Such stones include Portland (also used on war graves), York (limited supply), Nabresina, Wessex Buff and slate. Some churchyards will allow honed (mat finished) green or mid-grey granites. Inscriptions usually have to be cut and leaded, or painted in black enamel.

Marble, black and coloured granites are usually reserved for cemeteries, as are ledger slabs, kerb sets, brick graves and mausoleums.

We advise that at least six months should elapse between an interment and the erection of a memorial to allow the soil to settle.

Stone is a natural material and its price is determined by many factors that include labour costs and transport as well as, in some cases, its scarcity. We can advise on acceptable alternatives should a stone you like prove difficult to source.

Increasingly granite and marble, in particular, are being quarried in India and China and transported to the UK: not particularly environmentally friendly these days. As a natural material stone can vary enormously in colour and pattern; such variations are, after all, part of the attraction in using a natural material. Some differences must be expected and Welham Jones cannot guarantee a colour or pattern match to an existing sample or erected memorial.

Many cemeteries and, increasingly, churchyards require new memorials to be placed using means that deter natural subsidence, even if the ground continues to subside. There are several ways in which this can be achieved; rail, bearer or anchor. As an associate of the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAAM) we are committed to their standards, and agree to abide to their code of practice or those of the cemetery/churchyard, whichever the higher.

To ensure these standards are adhered to permission is required from the church or cemetery authority before erecting a memorial. To obtain permission, detailed drawings and descriptions of the memorial, material, method of fixing and inscription have to be submitted in return for which the relevant authority will levy a fee.

Our guarantee covers you against faulty materials and workmanship, but not acts of vandalism or accidental damage. We suggest you take out an appropriate insurance policy or seek to add cover to your existing household policy.

What we will do

Once you have chosen the memorial you would like to place, and are comfortable with the likely cost:

• we will prepare a detailed estimate for your approval: only when this is signed will we progress your order;
• detailed drawings to include the inscription will be prepared for your approval;
• an application to the cemetery or diocese (as appropriate) will be prepared for your signature, and then submitted on your behalf along with the fee, which will be covered by your deposit;
• should any changes be required at this stage we will liaise between you and the authorities to ensure all parties are content;
• once permission has been obtained we will instruct the manufacture of your memorial; 8 to 12 weeks should be allowed for this;
• we will invoice you the balance on your account once your memorial has been erected.

It should be noted that all memorials remain the property of Welham Jones until accounts are fully paid.