
Choosing A Memorial
All memorials are made to order so we are able to supply a complete range of shapes and sizes. We can do different finishes to the stone and add designs or mouldings to make the perfect memorial that complements its setting and offers a fitting tribute to a loved one. Once we know where the memorial is to be placed and whether it is to mark an ashes grave or full burial we will be able to advise you on the local regulations.
CHURCHYARD MEMORIALS
Most churchyards are governed by the Church of England and England is divided up into diocese, with each diocese having its own regulations – see below. We mainly deal with Salisbury, Bath & Wells and Exeter (but we can cover other areas). As ever, there are some churches that will allow things to happen that don’t fit the regulations but we will be able to guide you on that. We will advise you as best we can in choosing a memorial that will fit within the regulations but before any memorial can be placed or any inscription added we must make a formal application to the church and get the vicar’s approval. There is also a fee that will need to be paid to the church for the right to place a memorial or add an inscription, but again we will help you with this process

Churchyard Ashes Memorials
As a rule, all ashes memorials in a churchyard will need to be flat stones, laid flush with the ground. The maximum size of these stones will depend on the diocese.
Exeter Diocese | 18”x 18” |
Baths & Wells Diocese | 15” x 18” |
Salisbury Diocese | 12” x 15” |
In a few churchyards there are exceptions where different sizes are used. In all cases there is room to fit two sets of details on the stone, but we will provide a scale proof to confirm the layout.
Churches will allow the use of various stone types for ashes memorials, but due to the stones having to be laid flat and flush with the ground these tablets do get badly affected by both the weather and any grounds maintenance that takes place in the churchyard. Because of this we recommend using granite – it is a very tough stone and it is easier to keep clean.
The churches allow the use of light grey or dark grey granite (which need to have a honed finish which makes them non-reflective). On the dark grey granite the letters will be cut into the stone and an opposing colour paint applied to make the letters stand out – black, white, cream, silver or gold.

With the light grey granite the letters will be cut and painted, usually with black paint, or they could be filled with dark resin leaving a completely smooth finish on the stone. This can be an advantage as dirt and moisture can sometimes sit in the recessed letters causing the paint to deteriorate over time.
Beware that granite is very durable but it can still be marked by things that land on it, such as bird mess. Avoid placing items on the stone as this can cause staining particularly anything with metal that will rust, these stains can be very difficult to remove.
Whilst we recommend using granite we are happy to supply another stone type if you had something else in mind and adding an inscription to any stone type is no problem for us to do.
Churchyard, Full Burial Memorials
Click here to visit the Churchyard Full Burial Memorials gallery.
In churchyards there are restrictions on stone type, finish, inscription, shape and size. The main restriction is finish. All stones must have a non-reflective finish – honed. This is the case in all churches that we deal with.
Most natural stone types are allowed, with granites being restricted to light grey and dark grey, although in some cases red granite will be allowed. Marble is not allowed. Granites make the most durable and cost-effective memorial but they can also look at bit “hard”, particularly in a churchyard environment. This can be softened by giving the edges and back a roughened or rustic finish. These rougher surfaces will, over time, allow lichen and moss to grow and the memorial will usually mellow.
Alternatively, we can use stones like Nabresina, Portland, Purbeck, York and Celtic limestone – these will all slowly darken and pick up a patina that will blend into the rural churchyard setting. Another option would be slate – often considered one of the best materials for a headstone. Slate is very resistant to algae and lichen so remains clean whilst it has visual softness that works in most situations.
The maximum size allowed for the memorials is quite generous so this is rarely an issue, however there can be issues regarding shape – books are not allowed in some churchyards.
The top shape of the stone can generally be anything you want but in all Bath & Wells churchyards there are restrictions on the base (if you chose to have a base) as they do not allow a flower holder to be set within it. If you want a matching stone flower holder it must be separate. Kerbstones, or grave surrounds, are not permitted.
Inscriptions must be simple and reverent – it must be cut into the stone, left natural or painted black, white, silver or gold. You would also be allowed to have flush lead letters or raised lead letters. In most cases a carving can be added but these must be simple, left natural or painted in the colours above.

This is an outline of the regulations in the churchyards that we generally use, but as ever, there may be exceptions. Unfortunately, don’t necessarily think that if you see a memorial in a style, colour or stone type that you like in the churchyard that your loved one is buried in, that it will automatically mean you will be able to have something the same.
If you are adding an inscription to an existing memorial but the memorial doesn’t fit the current regulations don’t worry, this will be authorised and you will not have to replace the whole stone.
Before any memorial can be made or an additional inscription added it must be approved by the Vicar. We will sort this application out for you.






Local Diocese Regulations
Each of the following Dioceses have specific regulations as outlined in the pdf documents
you can find at the the click of each button.

Diocese of Salisbury

Diocese of Exeter

Diocese of Bath & Wells
Cemetery, Full Burial Memorials
Click here to visit the Cemetery Full Burial Memorials gallery.
Cemeteries are governed by the local authority, this may be a parish council, district or county council. Each cemetery will have its own regulations and we will be able to advise you on what these are so you can choose the right memorial. Usually there are fewer restrictions in cemeteries, the main being able to have highly polished stones and coloured stone, very decorative and ornate shapes and the inclusion of colourful designs. Heart shaped memorials, Book memorials and in some cases, Kerb sets will be allowed.


Cemetery, Ashes Memorials
Click here to visit the Cemetery Ashes Memorials gallery.
As with full burial memorials, ashes memorials will have to conform to the local authority regulations. Generally there are fewer restrictions than in churchyards, the main being they allow highly polished and colourful stones. Often you can have a conventional headstone shape but just smaller than used for a full burial, but in some cases they will be restricted to flat stones or wedges. In some cemeteries you will be allowed to use a “full sized” memorial to mark an ashes grave . We will be able to advise you.