Simple Memorials: Ideas and FAQs
Written by: Wilf Freeman
Published: 10th December 2025
Not everyone who commissions a memorial needs something ornate- or the place where it is to be situated may have rules which suggest a simpler design. Here, Wilf Freeman, Monumental Masonry Administrator, answers some of J.Gumbrill’s most Frequently Asked Questions about creating a simple and meaningful tribute in stone.
There are a lot of different materials that a memorial can be made of. All of them have their own characteristics, and the choice of stone often impacts other parts of the memorial’s design, such as how it can be lettered. Some of the main considerations that will affect your decision include:
Why might we need a simpler memorial?
There could be several reasons. Firstly, the rules of the place where the memorial is to be sited might require you to have something more simple- it is not unusual for churchyards to only permit a flat tablet to mark an ashes plot, for example. Some burial places may also limit designs in the interest of creating a homogenous appearance or making maintenance easier.
There can also be budgetary constraints, or preferences either expressed by the person who is being commemorated or the person commissioning the memorial.
What are some simple options for memorials?
A flat tablet, laid flush to the ground, is often perceived to be the simplest of choices, and may be what is permitted, especially to mark an ashes plot. Variations on this include a wedge tablet. This is similarly shaped, both are rectangles whose face is inscribed, but in this case, it is shaped with the rear side taller. This creates a slope, this is particularly suitable in an area with a lot of memorials or where it is hard to access the plot itself due to the layout of the burial place as the inscription is prominent without the need to lean over it. You could also consider simply marking the plot with a vase where these are permitted. They can be engraved as any other stone but their cube shape and functionality give an impression of simplicity while still commemorating the person who has died.
Is a simple memorial cheaper?
Not necessarily, but it can be. Some of the choices around appearance will affect the cost: for example a slate tablet will be cheaper than a slate headstone because less material is used. However, stones themselves vary in cost and it may be that a small headstone in one material is actually more expensive than a larger one made of something more cost-effective. Different types of lettering are charged at different rates, but a shorter (and therefore simpler) inscription will always be cheaper than a longer one when the methods are the same, as lettering is charged by the character. This is one easy way to ensure simplicity while also reducing costs: for example, writing someone’s dates of birth and death as simply their years rather than writing in full can be a difference of up to 24 characters.
What choices affect how simple the memorial looks?
- Memorials come in many different shapes, but a traditional, plainer style such as an ogee top inevitably looks less ornate than a design like a book or heart. This also includes the size of the memorial- something larger often looks more imposing than even the equivalent with smaller dimensions.
- Some types of stone- particularly granites with prominent flecks-arguably look more ornate by default. Pale colours, such as Karin granite or light nabresina, often look simpler than darker colours, and do not need more complex design features (such as painted lettering) to ensure legibility.
- Lettering style. Painted letters, or complex fonts, can add to an overall impression of complexity, in a way that plain characters and simple lines do not. The placement of the lettering can also have an impact, as swirling characters or those which cover a large portion of the stone make it look less plain than a central inscription which leaves lots of the stone’s face untouched.
- Any extra embellishment, whether that be the addition of a photo plaque or a carving, reduce the impression of a simple design.
- Choice and length of wording. Long, detailed inscriptions often do not convey simplicity in the way that a choice of shorter wording might.
These choices also work in unison so, for example, it often looks inconsistent to choose a long and detailed inscription in a plain font, or one that is hard to read against the stone’s background unless it is painted in a contrast colour. Therefore, making these decisions with an aim in mind, such as keeping the overall impression a simple one, is usually a good idea.
As experts in monumental masonry, J.Gumbrill is used to working with customers who have many different type of preferences to help them achieve their desired style of memorial. Why not use our knowledge to help you create a simple, yet meaningful monument, if this is your preference? Contact us today for more information and to find out how we can assist.
Thanks for your time, Wilf.
