It is best to meet face to face over a cup of tea in my workshop to find the way ahead.
The design of the gravestone follows from the stone itself. The stones come from the Delabole Slate Company, a venerable quarry in Cornwall where I find the owner and manager Mr. George Hamilton to be most helpful and friendly.
Delabole Slate is the densest and most long lasting of stones and is remarkable for its beautiful silver colour and markings.
An initial deposit of £600 - £1000 ( for a single or a double headstone) or £250 for a cremation plaque will secure the stone. Then I will develop a design with the person or family commissioning the work.
Items to be considered will include the size and shape of the stone, the words to be engraved and the size and style of the lettering and any other decoration.
I like to use the back of the stone for a poem - on behalf not just of family and friends but for all who feel called to meditate in a churchyard.
Having made scale drawings of the design to be executed, permission must be applied for which there will be a varying statutory charge.
The typical cost of a double gravestone, 4'x 3' above ground and 1/3rd below, designing, carving and fixing will be around £2000. For a single gravestone, £1500 and for a cremation plaque £700.
I am always pleased to discuss gravestones on my mobile phone: 07805 694 016.