Churchyard grave headstone question - any stone masons etc around?

[SWnewstart]

Long story which I don't want to go into here, but I was widowed over 10 years ago and it's only now that I am ready to organise a headstone for his grave in a rural churchyard about 150 miles from where I now live. The wooden marker cross that most undertakers place while headstones are made has long gone and the grave grassed over. I would like to have something a little different - a rough granite (or some other stone more local to the church area) "boulder" with either a metal plate fixed to the front, or the inscription engraved onto a smoothed front section of the stone.

I'm about to contact the relevant church people and, if a piece of stone is allowed, as opposed to the more traditional shaped headstone, could anyone advise if a metal plate (brass?) could be fixed to a piece of stone or would it be more practical and last longer if the words were engraved on the stone? Hope this makes sense!

TBH it all depends on the Churchyard Regulations in your area. They are quite strict and you have to fill in a form and get legal permission. Where I live for instance the shape, size and type of stone is specified. I expect engraved would be preferred to a plaque. If relatives can't be traced, the church foots the bill of maintenance and repair so they'll want something durable. I know all this because I worked in churchyards for a few years! The DAC at your diocese can usually provide you with a list of stonemasons to try. Good luck.

I wouldn't use metal regardless of longevity (which I would expect to be less). Somebody will steal it.

I know you'd probably like to think a graveyard would be safe from such concerns but sadly not. Speaking from personal experience.

Definitely try and find out about churchyard regulations before you go too far down any particular route. As a pp said, they can be very strict and if you want anything outside the regulations you would have to apply for a faculty which can be a lengthy process (especially if the DAC object but you decide you want to proceed to apply any way and get the diocesan chancellor to make a ruling), I think there is a fee, and there is no guarantee you will get the faculty.

Ideally you want the support of the vicar and churchwardens so try and work with them!

And another one saying no to the plaque because of theft.

Thanks to all for the advice. I will start the process of contacting relevant local people and try for a small "boulder" shape local stone with words engraved.