Headstone Epitaphs: Expert Advice with 200+ Beautiful Ideas
Posted 01/10/18
Fergus offers further advice on choosing an epitaph, with over 200 more examples from poetry, literature and lyrics.
Blog: Tagged advice
Advice on coping with loss
Posted 13/07/18
Advice on dealing with the loss of a loved one, which brings me comfort. It reminds me how lucky I was to have been so loved and to have loved so deeply.
DIY or Family Led Funeral- Arranging a Funeral Yourself
Posted 08/06/18
Our experience of a DIY or family led funeral. We describe how we kept our mother at home and gave her the most beautiful and personal send off possible.
Help with Choosing a Meaningful Headstone
Posted 07/06/17
The task of commissioning a headstone can be a painful process as it can be perceived as a final act of saying goodbye. This can bring up many emotions and perhaps a reluctance to face them. If you find yourself in such a place, perhaps the process outlined below can help you.
Monumental Grief
Posted 10/03/17 in The Headstone Guide
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.
Letter Carving in Slate
Posted 17/03/16 in Workshop life
Capturing in great detail, the carving of letter D in slate. This video gives you a feel for the fluidity of the chisel with the hand, and the accuracy and attention to detail that is required to carve letters by hand.
Stillborn Poems, Quotes and Funeral Readings for Baby Loss
Posted 15/03/16
For anyone who has had a stillborn baby or has lost a child, I have compiled a selection of comforting poems and funeral readings. In time these may also provide inspiration or ideas for an epitaph or headstone quote.
Funeral Readings and Words of Comfort
Posted 04/02/16 in The Headstone Guide
A collection of comforting funeral readings for funerals and memorial services. Words from these may also be inspiration for memorial epitaphs.
Church of England Fees 2016
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.
What everyone should read before thinking about a headstone
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.
Oxfordshire Diocese Churchyard Regulations
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.
What words can I put on a headstone?
Posted 09/11/15 in The Headstone Guide
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.
Children’s Headstones - the most beautiful Epitaphs, Quotes and Inspiration.
Posted 08/10/15 in The Headstone Guide
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.
Gravestone installation - monolith or dowel?
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.
Memorial design - a case study
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.
Headstone Epitaphs- 150 beautiful examples
Posted 13/10/14 in The Headstone Guide
Choosing a memorial quote or epitaph for a headstone can be very difficult. Here is a list of tasteful epitaphs and quotes for headstones, many of which I have carved into headstones myself.
Headstone design -your questions answered
Posted 12/09/14 in The Headstone Guide
Here I address some of the most frequently asked questions about headstone design.
Headstone Materials- 7 of the best
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.
Headstone Inscriptions & Epitaphs-Where do I begin?
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.
Headstone materials - 8 questions you need to ask
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.
How soon can I erect a headstone? 4 good reasons to wait
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.
Letter carving tools -13 tools you should never be without
Posted 04/07/14 in Workshop life
My list of the most important tools needed for letter carving in stone- a good starting point if you are beginning.
Ten tips for choosing a headstone inscription
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.
Dying Wishes
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.