FAQ-about prices for memorials
Written by: Annissa Cole
Published: 29th July 2026
.Gumbrill is frequently asked questions about prices for memorials. Monumental masonry is a subject that not many people are expert on and so there are often a lot of matters to discuss! It’s understandable that, to many people, how much a memorial might cost, and why, is new information they are coming to for the first time. Luckily, our team has years of experience in guiding customers through this unfamiliar territory. Our transparent approach to pricing and obligation-free quotations provide reassurance at every step of the way.
We have previously written to answer some commonly- asked questions about our services and about the process of arranging a memorial. In this last part of our FAQ series, Annissa talks us through the answers to some of the queries our customers often have about pricing for memorials.
Q: How much does a headstone cost?
There is significant variation in the cost of a memorial, and this is dependent on many factors. These include:
- The characteristics of your chosen memorial. The material chosen, shape you would like, and size of the proposed finished piece all have an impact.
- Availability of the chosen material. Some types of stone are scarce and only available in limited quantities, which affects the price we can then obtain it at from our supplier. The fact that stone is a natural material can means its availability changes over time as quarries run short or new sources are discovered.
- Lettering costs. Our letter cutters charge different rates for different types of inscriptions. As we charge by the character, a longer inscription will also cost more.
- Additional detailing. Should your design include decorative work or a photo plaque, there will be an extra cost for this.
- Burial place fees. We will pay the cemetery, burial ground or churchyard on your behalf and include this cost in our quote to you, but these fees are outside of our control and can add a substantial amount onto the overall cost.
We are often asked for a ‘ballpark figure’, and because of the above factors, this is difficult to produce. Every memorial is made bespoke to the customer’s requirements and so prices are variable, too. However, we usually say that the average cost for a basic design and size in one of the lower priced granites, with a simple inscription, starts at around £1200.00. We provide a free and no-obligation quote, itemising all components separately, so you can see where your choices impact the overall cost, and we are happy to work with you to discuss alternatives or where you have a budget in mind.
Q: What factors affect the price?
The shape of a memorial is a significant factor. Simpler designs are generally more affordable than more elaborate or customised shapes, which require additional materials and craftsmanship. Any design which requires a larger piece of stone to be cut down will be more expensive. For example, a ‘book’ design with a sloping pitch requires a starting block of stone which is ‘deeper’ than an upright memorial. Therefore, a book of this design would be more expensive than a more traditional shape in the same material.
The lettering style and length of the inscription also increases the price. The choice of material has an impact on this too. Some materials need to be inscribed by hand and, understandably, this costs more than where the equivalent characters can be machined. You can visit our ‘Stone Types’ page for more information about how different types of materials need to be lettered. Carvings or photo plaques, and even more simple decorative features such as a pin line on the face of the stone all add to the cost as they are additional items.
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, all our work is split into manageable instalments depending on the type of work we are undertaking for you.
For additional inscriptions, and renovation work, the cost is split over two payments:
- When you decide to proceed with the quote, we will ask for deposit of 50% of the total cost.
- Once the work has been completed- and the memorial is back in place at the church or cemetery if this was a part of the renovation process- we will invoice you for the final 50% payment.
For a new memorial our costs are split over three payments:
- When you decide to proceed with the quote, we will ask for deposit of 25% of the total cost.
- Once we have received the stone from the supplier and it is ready for lettering, we contact you for a further 50% payment.
- Once the stone is in place at the church or cemetery, we would invoice you for the final 25% payment.
All quotations are free-of-charge and without obligation and can be varied should your requirements alter. For example, we can give the price of a memorial in more than one type of material, enabling you to compare. We usually need to visit the site of a memorial to appraise its condition for renovation work, or to obtain details necessary to quote for an additional inscription. This is a free-of-charge service.
We hope this answers questions about how the pricing of a memorial works. However, if you require additional information, or would like a quote for any monumental masonry work, why not contact us for more assistance.
Thanks for your time, Annissa.
