Frequently asked questions
Our team is dedicated to organising the perfect memorial for your loved one. We understand the value of having a supportive team of memorial specialists to guide you through the entire process of selecting, ordering and maintaining your memorial and answering any questions you may have.
We are here to support you every step of the way, providing comprehensive information and advice on the journey your memorial will take, from the quarry to the cemetery.
At Haven Memorials, we also believe in providing as much help and guidance as possible before you even have to pick up the phone, send an email or visit one of our showrooms. We want to make the process of creating an everlasting memory for your loved one a simple and supported one.
Below are some of the most commonly-asked questions that we receive. If your question is not answered below, please get in touch with our team of memorial specialists, who will be happy to help and provide the answers you are looking for. We regularly update our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and so your queries and comments help us ensure we provide a comprehensive and optimum customer service that is reflective of your needs.
How much does a headstone cost?
Memorials vary in cost depending on the size, style and material chosen. Memorial plaques, commonly used for cremation plots, are the smallest memorial design we have in our range, with prices starting from £400+VAT.
Standard headstones with bases, which can display more elaborate and personalised designs with prices starting from £850+VAT. Exact prices depend on the memorial’s design, size and material.
Kerbed memorials and kerb sets are the largest in size and the premium memorial in our range, with prices starting from £1700+VAT.
Inscription prices vary depending on the style and length required.
All of our memorial prices include the cost of fixing the monument into the cemetery or churchyard. Please note, permit fees may also be applicable to place a memorial in a cemetery or churchyard. These are payable to the relevant burial authority. We will provide you with all the information and details for this when you call, email or visit one of our showrooms.
Our memorial specialists will guide you through the entire process and all of the costs involved.
What is a NAMM Fixing?
When you receive your quote, you may see that a compulsory NAMM Fixing has been added to the total cost of your memorial. If this is the case, it is because the burial authority for the cemetery or churchyard where the memorial is being placed requires these fixing requirements. NAMM Fixing involves a stainless ground anchor that goes through the base and foundation of the memorial and into the ground, which helps to protect the memorial from subsidence and tilting.
What is the difference between Granite and Marble?
There are many differences between granite and marble. Granite is a tougher, more robust material compared to marble. Marble, by comparison, is a much softer material and can be very porous.
Over a number of years, the difference in strength and durability of these materials can become noticeable, with marble attracting stains from soil, lichen and as a result of deterioration from weathering. Marble does not stand the test of time in outdoor English cemeteries.
Granite, generally speaking, is a much harder and compact material. It is also easy to clean and is available in a wide variety of colours. Granite is the preferred material for memories in British cemeteries and with professional cleaning and maintenance, will retain its appearance.
What is a Memorial Permit? Why do I need one?
Throughout the country, memorial permits are a standard requirement to allow the fixture of memorials in cemeteries and churchyards. We apply for these on your behalf. The cemetery or churchyard does require the memorial owner’s signature on the necessary documentation as well as a fee that is payable to the relevant council or burial authority. The fee will vary depending on the local council or burial authority.
Permit approval will be given if the memorial you have chosen for your loved one fits within the regulations of the burial ground in which the memorial is being placed. Unfortunately, we cannot fix the memorial in the burial ground without the permit approval. We can help you with any further queries or support you may need with applying for and obtaining the permit approval.
Will my memorial have any guarantees?
Yes. We offer a one-year guarantee on your memorial for when tilting occurs. Typically, this only happens if the ground subsides due to a disturbance to the land and not because the memorial has been installed incorrectly. We do urge our customers to wait between six months to a year after burial has taken place before we install the memorial to ensure the strength and stability of the burial area to limit the likelihood of subsidence and tilting.
Our one-year guarantee comes as standard with all of our memorials, meaning we will attend to any subsidence that may have taken place.
Why does it take up to 24 weeks for my memorial to be completed?
Our timescale of up to 24 weeks is a guide, as multiple variables impact the exact completion time. However, we work with you to ensure the timescale is as efficient as possible, meeting and exceeding your requirements.
To supply the finest quality materials available, we source and handpick all of our memorial materials from around the world to ensure the highest level of excellence in your finished memorial. As a result, quarrying, manufacturing and shipping materials are elements of the process that take place after you have made your personalised and bespoke memorial order, and before the monument has entered our workshop for production.
We do our very best to keep these times down to a minimum and keep you updated at all times on the stage of production that your memorial is currently in by our team of specialist craftsmen.