“Budget” Headstone / Memorial

[JediKnightingale]

I wonder if anyone can help. My darling mother passed away unexpectedly recently which has left me bereft. She was buried with my dad who tragically passed away 30 years ago at a young age. As a family, we had agreed that we would wait until they were together again and get a headstone for both of them.

Problem is, there is only myself, my sister and one uncle (mums brother) left now and we are all feeling the cost of living crisis hard. Funding for the headstone is going to be tight and Ive yet to find anything under £800.

I feel so bad that there is no headstone and every other grave has one. I just want something simple with both their names on. Can anyone point me in the right direction to find something more affordable? Thank you.

Flat headstones are usually a lot cheaper than upright so take a look at those or the markers for cremation spots may be suitable - smaller but still space to add both your parents names

What about a flat memorial stone rather than a standing one?

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/646691115/personalised-granite-memorial-stone

https://www.memorialsofdistinction.co.uk/product-category/cremation-headstones-small-memorials?orderby=price&paged=1

Get different quotes. The one for my parents was just under £400 inc. vat.
It's simple and small with just their names (DoB-date they died) with the words 'in loving memory'. It does have a place for flowers and it's very plain (it's what they wanted).
Sorry about the loss of your mum, it's crap when someone you love dies.

Thank you. A flat one might be a good compromise if I can’t find an upright in my budget.

@crabbyoldappletree Would you be able to PM
me where you got yours from? TY

Doesn’t it come out of probate like the funeral?

Not everyone has £800 when they die.

I'm sorry for your loss OP, that must have been a terrible shock for you

Would this be suitable? It's in Welsh slate and comes in assorted sizes. It looks more natural than some other materials.

https://www.valleymill.co.uk/personalised/memorial-plaques/300mm-x-400mm-memorial-plaque

My mum was a young widower and then a pensioner with no savings so nothing in her estate to pay for it. The cost of the funeral was almost £5k (which I don’t begrudge for a second) hence why I’m struggling to find more money for the headstone. It’s just hard when you want to do the best and everything has shot up in price lately.

Just a word of warning you need to check the regulations of the cemetery/ churchyard they are buried in first. Not all allow cremation stones on burial plots

Thank you, yes I think something like this will be the way to go.

Thanks. Yes all surrounding graves have headstones and we only want something simple so there are no expected problems. I will double check before I order though.

Sorry for your loss OP
Please check the regulations at the place where your parents are buried. The plaque on a tilt would not be approved in our churchyard.

I’m so sorry for your loss, OP.

Bear in mind you don’t have to do it straight away, if you’re in a position to be able to save. My mum has been dead for three years and I still don’t have a headstone. First it was hard to do because of Covid and then I just couldn’t face it. There’s a plain wood cross with her name and dates on that the cemetery did, but no proper headstone. The world hasn’t ended.

(I am now in the midst of sorting a headstone)