Posted 26/11/20 in The Headstone Guide
What is the best material for a headstone? What type of headstone lasts the longest? These are two of the most common questions I am asked. When deciding on the best headstone material, there are a number of questions you need to ask yourself.
Posted 25/11/20 in The Headstone Guide
Purbeck limestone is a beautifully patterned limestone from Dorset. Its aged appearance means it blends in beautifully in old churchyards.
Posted 26/08/20 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
In this intimate video-interview with his son Laurie, Fergus shares his love for his work, especially headstones, and introduces his new book: Headstones -advice & inspiration.
Posted 24/03/20 in The Headstone Guide
Ordering a headstone online is not only possible but also far easier than you would imagine thanks to our new sourcebook of ideas and the use of the internet for exchanging photographs and ideas. You can still collaborate with Fergus in making a unique headstone.
Posted 07/03/20 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
Top local florist Rebecca Walker from Wild Flower Studios shares her approach to sympathy flower arrangements, with beautiful ideas and inspiration.
Posted 28/02/20 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
This is a short video bringing together advice and inspiration on choosing a headstone epitaph.
Posted 22/02/20 in The Headstone Guide
When choosing a headstone you may wish for something unusual or unique.
Posted 14/02/20 in The Headstone Guide • Workshop life • Bereavement Resources
We will shortly be publishing a new book called Headstones- Advice and Inspiration and will be selling it to raise money for Maggie's Cancer Charity in Oxford.
Posted 29/11/19 in The Headstone Guide
When people talk about commissioning a bespoke memorial, they search online for bespoke memorials and are offered a range of options by stonemasons. However, are they truly bespoke? Our memorials are completely bespoke, from start to finish and here we explain why.
Posted 21/10/19 in The Headstone Guide
Carvings of flowers often appear as a symbols on a gravestone often for their simple beauty. Here I share some of the symbolism associated with flowers and also provide inspiration and ideas.
Posted 17/10/19 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
Choosing beautiful words to put on a headstone is one of the most important stage of choosing a headstone. But what will be approved by the vicar? Here I share a list of epitaphs suggested by one of the dioceses themselves.
Posted 16/10/19 in The Headstone Guide
What is usually put on a headstone? How do I choose a headstone inscription? These are the first questions people often ask, and a good place to begin when choosing a headstone.
Posted 11/06/19 in The Headstone Guide
A recent review received by a client after we made a headstone for her husband. The review captures the ethos of our workshop and the results we strive for.
Posted 17/05/19 in The Headstone Guide
We are often asked to carve a sun disc on our headstones. In this post I explore the rich symbolic meaning of the sun.
Posted 22/01/19 in The Headstone Guide
The image of a boat has been used on headstones for centuries by many civilizations. The boat lends itself well to carving, as it can be simplified and stylised. It is a romantic symbol, a symbol of a journey but also a symbol of safety and refuge.
Posted 13/12/18 in The Headstone Guide
A selection of Bible verses for headstone epitaphs which are both uplifting and comforting.
Posted 06/12/18 in The Headstone Guide
Have you even thought about choosing your own headstone? Leaving some guidance in your will could be a great help to your family.
Posted 01/10/18 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
Fergus offers further advice on choosing an epitaph, with over 200 more examples from poetry, literature and lyrics.
Posted 10/03/17 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
Are you struggling to find the right wording for your loved one's headstone? You should not have to do this alone. Kerry Ingham, a bereavement counsellor offers some direction and support.
Posted 15/09/16 in The Headstone Guide • Workshop life
Last week Stoneletters was the proud winner of a Good Funeral Award for "Best Maker of Hand Carved Memorials in an Indigenous Material". The award is a real accolade and testament to all of Fergus's hard work and devotion to his clients.
Posted 04/02/16 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
A collection of comforting funeral readings for funerals and memorial services. Words from these may also be inspiration for memorial epitaphs.
Posted 21/01/16 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
Here is a list of funeral poems which I hope will provide some comfort and peace.
Posted 11/01/16 in The Headstone Guide
Epitaphs from poems can be stunning from a distance, and if carved with great rhythm, they will draw people in to read the beautiful words.
Posted 11/01/16 in The Headstone Guide
When you want to erect a new memorial or add an inscription to an existing memorial in a churcyard there is usually a fee to pay. Here is a list of the updated Church of England Fees for 2016.
Posted 10/12/15 in The Headstone Guide
I have been making headstones for fifteen years. I hope this article helps people who are thinking about a headstone. My biggest piece of advice is to take your time.
Posted 17/11/15 in The Headstone Guide
This is a brief summary of the Oxfordshire Churchyard Regulations which apply to our clients. Clients are often worried about regulations, but vicars tend to be very helpful and encourage unique, hand carved headstones.
Posted 09/11/15 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
I am often asked what wording is allowed on a headstone which is to go in a churchyard. Unfortunately, there are often no hard and fast rules. Below I shall summarise the main guidelines and offer advice based on over ten years' experience.
Posted 08/10/15 in The Headstone Guide • Bereavement Resources
Choosing a headstone or memorial for a child must be the hardest thing to do. I have collected together some beautiful epitaphs and quotes for children as well as some examples of headstones which I hope will provide some comfort and inspiration.
Posted 06/05/15 in The Headstone Guide
Some beautiful examples of epitaphs inspired by poetry.
Posted 23/03/15 in The Headstone Guide
Gravestone installation is a very important part of my work; I prefer to install all of my gravestones myself using the Monolith fixing method wherever possible. Here I explain how we fix our headstones, and I describe the pros and cons of monolith and dowel (pin) fixings.
Posted 15/01/15 in The Headstone Guide
A case study into the thought process and decision making that goes into choosing the wording of a memorial for Hugh Stubbs, by his daughter Kitty Allan.
Posted 06/01/15 in The Headstone Guide
Lettering is only a small part of a gravestone design. Almost all of my headstones incorporate a small carving of a symbol or motif. Choosing a symbol is often difficult and may be inspired by something your loved one was passionate about or simply an image from nature. Here are some symbols from my headstones which I hope will inspire you.
Posted 13/10/14 in The Headstone Guide
Choosing a memorial quote or epitaph for a headstone can be very difficult. Here is a freshly updated list of tasteful epitaphs and quotes for headstones, many of which I have carved into headstones myself.
Posted 15/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Have you ever seen a truly bespoke, hand carved headstone? These headstones are nothing like those seen in the catalogues of monumental masons. This selection of headstones is to give you an insight into our work.
Posted 14/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
A selection of 10 stunning green slate headstones and memorials to inspire you.
Posted 12/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Traditional headstones are seeing a slow but steady revival in our UK churches thanks in part to the internet where letter cutters are able to promote their fine work.
Posted 12/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Here I address some of the most frequently asked questions about headstone design.
Posted 12/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Portland Headstones to inspire you. Portland limestone is a natural British material which improves with weathering. These headstones give you an idea of the versatility of the stone, although the lettering needs to be large enough to read without the need to paint it, and in time as it weathers the letters need to be cut deep and large enough to remain legible. Carving letters along the edge is very effective.
Posted 11/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Our hand carved memorials are hand made with meticulous attention to detail. This sets us apart from others.
Posted 10/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Here are 10 fine examples of hand carved slate headstones to inspire you.
Posted 09/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
People often ask me about cleaning gravestones, and the answer I usually give is not to do so unless absolutely necessary! If you are determined to clean a gravestone, I share some tips in this article.
Posted 05/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Headstone materials- how do you choose? Here I list 7 of the best, all of which look beautiful in a natural churchyard setting.
Posted 05/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Choosing an inscription for a headstone can be a daunting and stressful prospect. Here I offer advice to help you begin.
Posted 31/08/14 in The Headstone Guide
Are cremation memorials the new headstones? Lack of space means that cremation memorials are in demand. However there is scope for interesting and creative design.
Posted 08/07/14 in The Headstone Guide
Choosing the right headstone material is crucial and it is hard to know where to begin. Do you start with the inscription, or the stone? Here I suggest 8 questions you need to ask when considering what material to use.
Posted 04/07/14 in The Headstone Guide
Choosing a headstone is a huge undertaking and should never be rushed. Do not feel hurried and pushed into deciding too soon. Here I share 4 good reasons to take your time.
Posted 13/05/14 in The Headstone Guide
Here are my top ten tips for choosing a headstone inscription, one of the most challenging part of commissioning a headstone.
Posted 12/05/14 in The Headstone Guide
Dying Matters commissions new study which shows that half of all couples do not know how their partner would like to depart this world.
Posted 26/04/14 in The Headstone Guide
This beautiful bespoke memorial was meticulously shaped by hand to make a fine, smooth pebble stone.
Posted 10/03/14 in The Headstone Guide
Circular lettering for a headstone epitaph.
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