How Much is a Headstone?

When a loved one passes away, the costs associated with saying goodbye can feel daunting, especially when you are going through such an emotional time. From funeral costs to probate services, there are many factors to be considered – and at Memorials of Distinction we are here to make the process that bit more straightforward. 

With over 35 years’ experience in stonemasonry, we truly understand how to build a lasting, high-quality memorial that will serve as a fitting tribute to your loved one’s life. In this blog post we use our expertise to break down exactly what costs are involved in choosing a headstone for their resting place. 

How much does a traditional headstone cost?

According to the annual SunLife Funeral Cost Report, the average cost of a headstone in the UK is £1,037.  However, there are many different styles of traditional headstone that you can opt for, depending on you or your loved one’s preference. With ample space for an inscription as well as other decorative features such as photoplaques or sandblasted and etched designs, a traditional headstone remains a popular choice which is highly adaptable. 

Common styles of traditional headstone include:

• Ogee top headstones
• Round top headstones
• Pitched headstones
• Gothic style headstones
• Book-shaped headstones
• Heart-shaped headstones

Our memorial headstones start at £990 and vary depending on size and on the materials used. The traditional headstones in our range are carefully hand-crafted using the finest materials and techniques, and can be tailored to your exact needs – whatever you feel is the best way to remember your loved one.

How much does a kerbed headstone cost?

Kerbed memorials are different from conventional headstones because they cover the entire grave – enclosing a space that can be filled with coloured chippings, a cover slab or soil for putting plants and flowers in. With some kerbed memorials, you can choose which of these you would like, while others come with built-in elements such as a cover slab. 

They are an excellent way to create extra space for inscriptions, ornaments or other special items, and some have a foot plate with additional room for engravings. Kerbed memorials in the Memorials of Distinction collection start from £2117 and many of them can be customised to incorporate the elements you wish.

How much does a children’s headstone cost?

Choosing the right memorial is never easy, and for a child it can be especially difficult. That’s why we offer a range of headstones with children’s favourite designs and characters on them, including teddy bears and puppies. We are always open to customising our designs so that you can incorporate whichever elements you wish into a child’s headstone. 

Our children’s headstones start from £872 and are all made from the finest available materials, and we are confident that we can help you to find the right design. 

How much does a cremation memorial cost?

Our range of cremation and small memorials are designed to create a striking and elegant resting place with a smaller marker, which still allows plenty of space for inscriptions and other decorative additions like photo plaques and etchings.

Our cremation and small memorials start at £528, offering a more affordable option for a scaled-down memorial.  With a wide range of designs including open books and hearts, they offer the same high quality and durability as their larger counterparts.

How much does a marble headstone cost?

Marble headstone prices can vary depending on a number of different factors, such as the design, size and material quality.  Typically, the average cost of a marble headstone can range from around £1,000 for simple designs to over £3,000 for the highest quality finishes.  The softer material of marble stone we use mean that our range of marble headstones can be designed by hand, and are made from the finest white marble.

How much does it cost to install a headstone?

As standard we include fixing costs in all our memorial prices at no extra charge, along with a 30-year guarantee. However, the costs of installing memorials in different burial grounds or churchyards will vary, and generally cover the upkeep of the area around the grave.

How long do you have to wait before installing a headstone?

Different burial grounds may have their own rules around this which can extend to a year or 18 months. However, we recommend waiting at least six months after burial, if not more, in order to allow the ground to settle properly and prevent problems in the future.