I like to offer a generous amount of time for the first meeting with my clients when commissioning a stone memorial or gravestone. There often needs to be time to talk at length about the deceased loved one; what they were like, thoughts and feelings about their life, words and images that may encapsulate their individuality.

Usually we meet at my workplace so people can be surrounded by the stone I use and we can discuss what type of stone would be suitable for the memorial we intend to create and the location of the grave. I sometimes visit the home of the deceased as this can also be valuable.

It is not necessary for my clients to come with clear-cut ideas of what the memorial should look like as usually this comes out of our talking. Of course some people will be clear about their wishes before we meet. Our discussion will include the type of stone to use, the size and shape of the memorial, the inclusion of carved images, the words for the inscription, the letter-form that would be suitable, and the cost.

After the initial meeting I will provide a drawing that can be discussed and adapted as needed. When we finalise a design I will give a fixed quote for the completed memorial: this will include everything - supply of stone, design, carving, lettering, cemetery fees and the erection of the memorial. Half of the fee will be due when I have purchased the stone - the other half due on completion of all work.

Costs will vary according to the type of stone chosen for the memorial, the number of letters to be carved, and the inclusion of masoned finishes and figurative carving. However as a guide, a simple stone with a brief inscription would start at around £1250. Most of my stones however come in around the £2000 plus mark.