Frequently asked questions

Every memorial is different, so we don’t publish a fixed price list. The cost of a headstone or monument depends mainly on:

• its size, shape and whether it includes a base, ledger or kerbing
• the stone you choose, its colour and finish (polished, honed or rock-faced)
• the length of the inscription and the lettering method — for example gold leaf, paint or raised lettering
• artwork, motifs, photographs or plaques
• foundations and installation requirements, which vary between cemeteries
• cemetery permit or installation fees, which are set by the cemetery
• travel, for cemeteries outside metropolitan Melbourne

Once we understand what you have in mind, we prepare a detailed written quotation so you can see what is included before you decide anything. If you are working within a budget, tell us — we can suggest designs and materials that suit it. Request a quote.

There is no single answer, because several steps have to come together. The overall time depends on:

• how long your family would like to take over the design and wording
• approving the final proof of the inscription
• the cemetery’s processing time for a memorial permit
• the availability of your chosen stone — some colours are sourced from overseas
• the complexity of the design, lettering and artwork
• any waiting period the cemetery recommends after a burial so the ground can settle
• weather and the cemetery’s installation schedule

Some faiths and families also have customs about when a memorial is placed. Once we know your design and cemetery, we will give you a realistic estimate and keep you updated along the way. See how the process works.

A headstone is the upright stone placed at the head of a grave, carrying the name, dates and inscription. It usually sits on a base or, in lawn sections, on a concrete beam provided by the cemetery.

A monument is a broader term for a larger memorial. A full monument typically combines a headstone and base with a kerb or surround and a ledger — a stone slab covering the grave.

Many cemeteries in Victoria have lawn sections, where only a headstone or plaque is permitted, and monumental sections, where full monuments are allowed. What you can choose depends on the section and the cemetery’s rules, which we will check with you. Learn about cemetery requirements.

Yes — personal touches are often what make a memorial feel right. Depending on the cemetery’s rules, you might include:

• an epitaph, verse, prayer or a phrase they often said
• religious or cultural symbols, if you would like them — they are always optional
• flowers, landscapes or motifs connected to their life or interests
• a photograph or portrait
• an unusual shape, such as a heart or open book

We will help you shape ideas into a design and show it to you before anything is made. Explore custom memorial design.

Yes. Many families include more than one language — for example English alongside Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Turkish or many others. Scripts such as Arabic and Hebrew read right to left and need careful layout, and accents and diacritics matter in every language.

To get it right, we ask for wording in writing (a typed document or a clear photo is ideal), go through the layout with you line by line, and encourage someone fluent in your family or community to check the final proof before it is approved. If you need help with a translation, talk to us about the options. See cultural and multilingual memorials.

Yes. Companion headstones for couples and larger family memorials are common. If you expect to add names in future, we can plan the layout now so there is balanced space kept for them, using the same lettering style.

Adding a name later may be done at the cemetery or may require the memorial to be removed temporarily, depending on the memorial and the cemetery. Cemetery approval is usually needed for additions too. Read about family memorials.

In many cases, yes, where the cemetery permits it. Common options include a ceramic photo plaque set into the stone, or an image etched directly onto dark granite. Each has a different look and suits different photographs.

The clearer the original photo, the better the result, so we may ask for the highest-quality version you have. We will talk you through what will work best for your picture and your cemetery.

Yes. Lettering can be finished in several ways, including gold or silver leaf, paint in a colour that contrasts with the stone, raised lettering, or left unfilled so the cut itself shows against the polished surface. Some memorials use applied metal lettering.

Each finish looks and weathers differently — for example, painted lettering may need touching up over the years, particularly in strong sun. We will explain the care each option needs so you can choose with confidence. About engraving and inscriptions.

Granite is the most popular choice for outdoor memorials in Victoria. It is hard and dense, resists weathering well, holds a polish and shows fine lettering clearly. It comes in many colours, from black and grey to rose and green.

Marble is beautiful and has a long history in memorials, but it is softer and more porous than granite, so outdoors it can weather, stain or lose its polish over time. Sandstone has a warm, natural character but is softer again and weathers more noticeably.

The right stone also depends on your cemetery’s rules, the look you want, your budget and how much care you are comfortable with. Compare materials and finishes.

Yes — wherever possible we will show you samples of the stones you are considering. Natural stone varies from one block to another, and colours on a screen are only a guide, so seeing a sample in daylight is the best way to decide.

Gentle, regular cleaning is best. For a granite memorial:

1. Rinse the surface with clean water to loosen dust and debris.
2. Wash with a soft brush or sponge and clean water. If needed, add a small amount of mild, pH-neutral soap.
3. Rinse thoroughly so no soap residue is left behind, and wipe dry with a soft cloth if you like.

Please avoid acids (including vinegar), bleach, household or abrasive cleaners, wire brushes, scouring pads and high-pressure washers. They can dull the polish, damage lettering and paint, or harm the stone. If you are trying any product for the first time, test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Marble, sandstone and older or fragile memorials are more delicate — please seek advice before cleaning them. If lettering is fading or a memorial needs more than a gentle wash, we can help. About restoration.

We support families with cemeteries across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Each cemetery sets its own rules about memorial sizes, materials, foundations and who may carry out installation work, and some have their own approval processes for memorial contractors.

Tell us the name of the cemetery and, if you know it, the section and grave location. We will check the requirements and confirm with you how installation can be arranged before you commit to anything. Cemeteries and requirements.

In most cases, yes. Cemeteries in Victoria generally require a permit or written approval before a memorial is installed, and usually before an existing memorial is altered or added to. An application commonly includes a drawing of the design with its dimensions, the materials, and the inscription wording. Fees may apply and are set by the cemetery.

We will explain what your cemetery needs and help you prepare the application, so the design you approve is one the cemetery can accept. Learn more about cemetery requirements.

Commonly, the cemetery asks for the application to be signed or authorised by the holder of the right of interment for the grave — the person or people who hold the right to the burial plot. This is often shown on a right of interment certificate.

If the holder has died or cannot be found, the cemetery may need further documents before approving a memorial. Requirements differ, so we will help you understand what your cemetery asks for.

Both are possible. Many families begin after the funeral, once they have had some time. Some cemeteries recommend or require a waiting period after a burial before a headstone or monument is installed so the ground can settle, and the length of that period varies.

Others plan ahead — for example, a couple choosing a companion memorial together, with one name added now and space kept for the other. Whether and when a memorial can be installed depends on the cemetery and the right of interment, and we will check this with you. There is no need to hurry either way.

Often, yes. Common requests include adding an inscription for another family member, re-painting or re-gilding faded lettering, cleaning, adding a photo or vase, and repairing or re-levelling a memorial.

What is possible depends on the condition of the stone, how the original lettering was done (so new lettering can match), and the cemetery’s approval, which is usually required for changes. Some work can be done on site; some requires the memorial to be removed temporarily. Photos of the memorial are a helpful starting point. Ask about an existing memorial.

Yes — we support families across regional Victoria as well as metropolitan Melbourne. Whether we can install at a particular cemetery is confirmed case by case, depending on that cemetery’s requirements and the work involved, and travel may form part of the quotation.

If meeting in person is difficult, we can talk by phone or video and share designs by email, so you can decide from home with your family.

Not at all. A first conversation is a chance to talk about the person you are remembering, ask questions and understand your options. Many families need time to consult relatives, look at samples or think about wording, and that is completely normal. We will move at your pace.

If you would like a gentle starting point beforehand, try Find Your Memorial — a few short questions that suggest styles to explore.

Share whatever you have — you don’t need every detail to begin. Helpful information includes:

• the cemetery’s name and location, and the section and grave number if known
• the name of the right of interment holder, if known
• the type of memorial you are considering, or “not sure yet”
• names, dates and any inscription wording, including other languages
• stone colour or style preferences, and any photos or artwork you would like included
• for an existing memorial, a few clear photos of it
• anything about timing that matters to your family

Request a quote and we’ll take it from there.

Preventing mistakes is one of the most important parts of our work. Before anything is cut, we provide a proof of the full design and inscription for you to check and approve, and we read the wording back with you. We recommend that more than one family member reads it, paying close attention to names, dates, accents and other languages.

Because lettering in stone is very difficult to change once cut, nothing proceeds until you are happy with the proof. If you ever notice a concern with a memorial, please contact us and we will talk through the options.