Frequently asked Memorial Questions

Start by visiting our Gainsborough showroom or contacting us by telephone or email. We can talk through the type of memorial you are considering, the material and colour, and any ideas you have for the inscription or design. You do not need to have everything decided before speaking to us; we will help you work through the choices at your own pace. If visiting our showroom is difficult, we can also arrange a home visit at a convenient time.

Before confirming your order, we will check the requirements of the cemetery or churchyard to make sure the proposed size, style, material and inscription are permitted. Once the details have been agreed, we will confirm the full price and ask for a 50% deposit to place the order. The deposit can be paid by debit or credit card, bank transfer or personal cheque.

We will prepare a design layout showing the proposed inscription, lettering and any selected design details for you to review. We will also submit the necessary application to the cemetery, churchyard or burial authority on your behalf. Work will only move forward once you are happy with the design and the required permission has been received. Permission usually takes around two to three weeks from receipt of the deposit, although this will depend on the relevant authority. We will keep in contact with them and follow up the application for you.

Once the design and permission have been approved, we can order or prepare your chosen memorial and arrange the lettering and other agreed details. When the memorial is ready for installation, we will contact you for payment of the remaining balance. After the balance has been paid, we will arrange for our memorial fitters to install it safely and in accordance with the burial ground’s requirements.

Yes, in most cases, permission is required before a memorial can be installed in a cemetery or churchyard. The requirements can vary depending on who manages the burial ground, and there may be specific rules regarding the memorial’s size, design, materials and inscription. We can help with this part of the process by checking the relevant requirements and submitting the necessary application or permit on your behalf. We will make sure the memorial has the appropriate approval before any work goes ahead, giving you peace of mind that everything is in order.

A burial ground fee is a charge set by the cemetery, churchyard or burial authority for certain services relating to memorial. This can include the cost of applying for permission to install a new memorial, add an inscription or carry out work on an existing memorial. These fees are set by the individual cemetery or churchyard and can vary depending on the location and type of work required. We will let you know if a burial ground fee applies to your memorial and, include this within your quotation so there are no unexpected costs.

We provide memorial services across Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas, with our team regularly working in local cemeteries, churchyards and crematoriums. If you’re unsure whether we cover your area, please get in touch with us. We’re always happy to discuss your requirements and check whether we can help, even if you’re outside our usual service area.

Absolutely. Before your memorial is made, we will prepare a design layout for you to look over and approve. This will show the proposed inscription, lettering style, layout and any chosen designs or motifs, giving you the opportunity to make any changes you would like. We will only proceed with manufacturing and lettering once you are completely happy with the design and have given us your approval. This ensures your memorial is made exactly as you would like it.

Yes, we offer a 10-year guarantee with all our memorials. Guarantees generally do not cover damage caused by ground movement, natural wear and tear, accidents, vandalism, or unauthorised work done by third parties. We offer Stoneguard Memorial Insurance to provide additional peace of mind and protection for your memorial after it has been installed. We can provide you with full details of the available cover when purchasing your memorial, so you can decide whether this additional protection is right for you.

A typical lawn memorial is installed on a suitable foundation, with stainless-steel dowels securing the separate components. Where required, an accredited ground-anchor system is also used to provide additional protection against overturning. A ground anchor is an important safety device, but does not replace the need for a suitable foundation. The exact fixing method will depend on the memorial, the ground conditions and the burial ground’s requirements.

All memorials we install are fixed in accordance with the current BS 8415 standard and relevant BRAMM guidance. Our qualified memorial fitters use approved fixing systems and follow the appropriate manufacturer’s instructions, helping to ensure each memorial is installed securely, safely and in line with the requirements of the cemetery or churchyard.

The registered grave owner will normally need to authorise any work, including the installation of a new memorial, an additional inscription or alterations to an existing stone. They may also be described as the holder of the Exclusive Right of Burial. If the owner has died or the ownership is unclear, the burial authority may require further information or a transfer of ownership. Requirements can vary, so we will check what is needed and help you through the application process.

Yes. You do not need to have arranged the funeral through Cliff Bradley & Sons to use our memorial service. Cliff Bradley Memorials is available to all families, regardless of which funeral director you used. You are welcome to visit our Gainsborough showroom or contact us to discuss your ideas. We can help whether you already know what you would like or would prefer to look through the available choices with our team.

Yes. If you have seen a memorial you like, send us a clear photograph along with any details you may have. We can often identify the design, source the same or a similar memorial through our suppliers, or discuss incorporating particular features into a bespoke design. Availability, materials and burial-ground regulations may affect what can be provided, but we will explain the options and prepare a design for your approval before the order goes ahead.