Dealing with grief and the extensive emotional burden you have to carry for months after you lose your loved ones is not an easy process. As a part of that process, the family often has to deal with many formalities, and one of them is also marking the grave in a way that pays respect and serves as a standing tribute to their loved ones.
Choosing and installing the right headstone is not a process that can be done in a few days. We at Churchill Memorials understand the urgency and transparently inform you about all the steps that need to be taken before the long-lasting memorial can be installed. In this article, we guide you through all the steps with the expected timeline, so you know what to expect beforehand.
Is Headstone Already a Finished Product?
A simple and straightforward answer to this question is – no. Each and every headstone from our workshop needs to be manufactured according to your vision and customized to your wishes, so it is not something you can buy off the shelf, which can shorten the process. We craft each headstone with care and precision, making sure that it truly represents what you have envisioned for your loved ones.
We at Churchill Memorials make the process of choosing and personalizing the headstone as streamlined as possible. We present you with all the options, including materials, details, and additional matching items, such as vases.
Timeline from Placing the Order to Installing the Headstone
01. Choosing the Headstone
The exact time you will spend choosing the headstone is highly personal. Some families come with a clear image of what they want, and finish choosing the materials and final look in a day. Others need time to think and decide, once they are presented with options. Our team of professionals guides you through the process and helps you choose all the details to make the process as streamlined as possible.
02. Cemetery Approval
Before we start working on the production of the chosen headstone, we contact the cemetery to obtain its approval, since this is a legal requirement that cannot (and shouldn’t) be bypassed. Each burial authority has its own set of rules we must follow in terms of:
- Stone type and color – some sites permit only the use of natural stones, while others limit the use of some materials and finishes.
- Size and shape – dimensions are strictly regulated, especially in churchyards.
- Inscriptions – some religious sites may have restrictions regarding wording, imagery, and/or symbols.
- Installation methods – memorials must meet specific safety standards that need to be followed during headstone installation, including foundation specifications.
On your behalf, we complete and submit all the paperwork (it may differ from one cemetery to another). Before we start working on the production, we wait for the approval. The approval stage can take anywhere between 2 and 8 weeks, and depends on the size of the cemetery and the availability of the administration team.
03. Stone Sourcing and Procurement
Once we get the approval from the cemetery, we proceed with the production. In most cases, standard stone types and other materials are in stock and available, while some finishes and specific stone types need to be ordered. The procurement process may take anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks.
04. Production Stage
Once the stone is in our workshop, we start with the headstone fabrication – we cut it to the desired shape and polish it according to your order and chosen finish (shiny, full matte, or rough-edged). Each headstone is produced manually, and it is a time-consuming work requiring lots of skills, cutting, shaping, and refinement before it reaches the point of meeting all our production standards. Our production stage can take anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks.
05. Inscription and Lettering
What comes as the biggest surprise to most people is the duration of this phase. The inscription and lettering can take from 1 to 2 weeks. The reason for this is in the process – the inscription is done via sandblasting. It has to be highly precise, since the errors cannot be corrected afterwards. Gilding of the letters is also time-consuming and has to be done slowly so it lasts over the years.
06. Scheduling and Installation
The final stage of this process is the headstone installation. Once we complete the production, we contact the cemetery to schedule its placement. Most cemeteries and churchyards have their own schedule for when the installation is possible, and we make sure to stay aligned with that. We book a slot on a designated date and install the headstone after safely installing a concrete foundation first. Since there are some periods when the cemeteries may be busier than usual, this stage can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks.
What Can You Do While You Wait?
We understand the urge to install the headstone as soon as possible, but sometimes this process can last longer than expected. The delays can happen due to extended waiting time for approvals, bad weather conditions that delay the installation, complex designs, waiting on the rare or imported stones, etc.
Another thing families don’t count on is the settlement period. Many cemeteries require a specific period of time to pass after the burial before the headstone can be placed. This typically goes from three to twelve months, depending on the cemetery. This is necessary to ensure a strong foundation for the headstone.
While you wait, there are several things you can do:
- Stay informed: We stay in touch throughout the process, and update you on the progress of each stage, so you know what’s going on, what will happen next, and at what pace.
- Review the inscriptions: We will send you a copy of the design and the lettering for verification, so take your time carefully reviewing it.
- Consider a wooden grave marker: A good temporary option to consider is placing a simple, wooden grave marker that will serve as a comfort before the gravestone arrives.
- Refine your choices: There is plenty of time before the production stage begins. Use that time carefully to make any last-minute changes in the design and fine-tune the final look of the headstone.
We at Churchill’s Memorial have more than 50 years of experience in the business, and our professional team is at your disposal at any time to address any query you might have.
Conclusion
Installing a headstone can be a very time-consuming process, which depends on numerous factors. At Churchill’s Memorials, we have three generations’ worth of experience in building a reputation for doing work properly. We have built relationships with most cemeteries across the UK, and with a streamlined process. The overall process can take between 6 and 20 weeks, and our team of professionals will give you a more precise estimate once all the details are available.
Find the Best Headstone at Churchill’s Memorials
Our professional team of experts is here to help you choose and plan the installation of bespoke memorials for your loved ones. Call us at 0137 674 8644 to order the perfect memorial for your loved ones.