The price of adding an inscription to a headstone in the UK depends on the amount of lettering. It costs around £1.95 per letter or character when added to a new memorial. Some stonemasons offer free lettering (up to 80 letters) with a headstone. Please see our guide on the regulations of adding a second name to a headstone.
You can choose the material of the headstone:
You can also choose the colour of the text:
An inscription on a headstone is designed to be read for generations to come, a lasting memorial to your loved one. The words should be a fitting tribute — carefully chosen to reflect the love felt for the departed by their family, and to mark an end to their life. With the importance of the right wording on your mind, along with the fact that you are grieving, it is no wonder that people feel overwhelmed.
We’ve put together a guide to help you to create an affordable and fitting tribute to your loved one.
Sometimes the most pure and simple inscription works the best. Perhaps your loved one was a modest person or perhaps they were a traditionalist — reflecting their personality is something to consider.
Just a few words can really stand out and carry a weight of emotion. An example is simply saying their name, dates and: ‘So dearly loved’.
A few well-chosen words can also highlight something special about a person, with the focus on that one thing — whether that was that they were a wonderful parent, their passion for animals or their strong religious faith.
An epitaph is a statement inscribed onto the headstone and they usually are words about the person’s roles in life. For example:
Uplifting quotes that make visiting mourners smile are also comforting, such as:
Religious sentiments can reflect your departed loved one’s spiritual views, which can be of great comfort to those who are mourning for them, for example:
Here are some examples of comforting Bible verses:
You can see some more inscription examples here.
If inscribing a headstone that will be placed in a churchyard, you need to check any restrictions or inscription etiquette with the church before the process is started. At Memorials of Distinction, we deal with church authorities on your behalf to save you a job at this difficult time and to make sure that the headstone and inscription you choose will be accepted.
There have been alleged instances in the media of churches refusing inscriptions, although this is rare.
There is no Catholic Church policy on what can and can’t be inscribed on headstones and the Church of England has no unified rules. However, the 42 dioceses within the Church of England have their own churchyard regulations, including rules about wording.
For example, the Diocese of Oxford allows nicknames, but only in inverted commas and states: “inscriptions must be simple, reverent and theologically acceptable; they may include appropriate quotations from the scriptures or literary sources.”
The Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order of 1977 allows Church of England bishops the right to object to an inscription on memorials, but doesn’t provide any guidelines.
For local authority plots, the Department for Constitutional Affairs provides guidance which includes ‘informal memorialisation’ but not what can and cannot be inscribed on a headstone.
To add a name to an existing headstone, you can either contact the company that you bought the headstone from or find a new provider. A headstone engraver will usually carry out the work on-site by engraving or etching the new name.
For some visual inspiration, take a look at some of our inscriptions and see how they fit on a variety of headstones. If you choose a smaller headstone, or one with an ornate or intricate design, the long poem you had chosen may not fit. As you can see, inscriptions should be designed alongside the composition of the chosen headstone:
There is less space for engraving on small headstones, but more than enough space for the perfect tribute. Short headstone inscriptions make stunning markers, perfect for the placing of ashes.
For a joint family memorial, there are a number of options, including these interlocking heart inscriptions.
For a long poem you will need the extra space, so a traditional headstone is an option.
This is an example of an informal and poignant personal message, finished with loving kisses etched into the stone.
For more inscriptions, you can download our PDF examples.
If you want a quote for the total price, or you are finding it difficult to choose an inscription, just visit us or give us a call on 01582 273046.
Everyone at Memorials of Distinction have been so professional, caring and excellent from start to finish with providing me a wonderful memorial to my dad. They listened to my requirements, kept me up to date with the progress and the memorial produced was perfect. I would happily recommend Memorials of Distinction to anyone and so very pleased I chose them. They so deserve the 5 star rating.
Frances H. Google Review: 28/04/2022
What a great company to deal with, very professional and helpful, they have just refurbished my parents headstone for me, very pleased with the result and I would recommend this Company to anyone looking for a friendly and helpful service.
This was a renovation at Woodwells Cemetery, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
Graham L Google Review: 06/05/2021
We are beyond pleased with the memorial. It looks even better in situ, than we could have ever imagined from the pictures and drafts. We would highly recommend Memorials of Distinction.
The sales team provided an amazing online service from initial enquiry, through to aftercare. The communication was amazing, keeping us informed step by step of the process and double checking every detail was just as we wished. Any queries were responded to quickly and we feel confident that any further aftercare requests will also be responded to swiftly.
The memorial itself was installed within the specified timescales and carried out with obvious care and dignity. The area was left spotlessly clean and tidy with meticulous detail to edge the area and present the stone in a clean and tailored fashion. It was abundantly clear there was real pride in the work undertaken. They even uncovered some items that had been lost within the grass and respectfully placed them onto the grave afterwards.
We are overwhelmed with how amazing the memorial looks in person and the service we received. It took us many years to undertake this part, for many reasons. We are so pleased to finally have the memorial in place and we shall be forever grateful for making this difficult part of losing a loved one a very positive one.
Emma H. Google Review: 08/09/2023
Factory & Showroom (Head Office)
The Memorial Works
Southfields Road Dunstable LU6 3EP
© Memorials of Distinction 2024 | Website designed by rtfacts ltd