Slate Memorials

Each stone is made to unique specifications, once you know measurements allowed, shaping ideas and lettering if required we can then offer a quotation for you.

This depends on your churchyards requirements. Some do not need a base and can go directly into the ground, which means you need to add around 10-12″ to the overall height.

A monolith style memorial stone is a stone that is anchored into the ground by itself, these stones require 16 inches in length below ground to use as a ground anchor for stability

Yes, you can have lettering on your memorial headstone. However, it’s important to check with your local council or churchyard, as they may need to approve the design before it can be finalised. Each burial ground may have specific guidelines regarding the type of lettering, fonts, and inscriptions allowed on gravestones.

At Honister Slate Mine, we offer a range of fonts and engraving options to personalise your headstone. Our team can guide you through the process to ensure your design complies with cemetery regulations while reflecting your unique tribute.

Yes, it will. Our headstones and memorials are crafted from high-quality slate, a material renowned for its strength, durability, and longevity. Formed over 450 million years ago through intense heat and pressure, slate is a metamorphic rock that’s incredibly dense and durable, making it one of the most weather-resistant materials available. Unlike other stones, slate naturally resists weathering, frost, and moss growth, ensuring your memorial stone will remain beautiful and intact for generations to come.
This makes Honister Green Slate not only a fitting choice but also a testament to the lasting legacy it represents.

You do not have to do anything to maintain the Honister green slate headstone as it will be finished with a sealant for longevity. If it is in an area that gets a lot of weathering, like next to the coast, a wipe with a clean cloth every so often will restore the finish to the stone.

Yes, we sell blank gravestones to go to hand carvers or other stonemasons to letter.

Yes, we sell blank memorial stones to go to hand carvers, our memorial stone is carefully selected to be softer specifically for hand carvers

We can engrave images onto our memorial stone, they need to be simple outline images, you will need to prepare a high resolution jpeg file of this, if you are struggling with this we can help,

Anything too detailed doesn't work unfortunately.

In the UK, most cemeteries will request that you wait a minimum of six months after the burial before installing a headstone on the grave. Some will even request a year or even longer.
Check with your burial ground to ensure you wait the correct amount of time.

The etiquette related to what you can put on a headstone mostly comes down to the rules and restrictions that are in place at your cemetery.

Some cemeteries do have their own rules in place with regards to the actual headstone memorial type you can choose, or the stone colours that you’re allowed, including maximum and minimum sizes and decoration that can be added on or around the grave.

Things can often be a little stricter in churchyards.
What is permitted will be at the discretion of each individual parish priest at the church as they are bound by the diocese churchyard regulations.

You will find that many dioceses even have their own specific guidance outlining what wording is acceptable to use, along with shape, edging and maximum and minimum sizes and decoration.

An example would be the Diocese of Oxfordshire, which suggests that:
“Inscriptions must be simple, reverent and theologically acceptable; they may include appropriate quotations from the Scriptures or literary sources.”

Yes, we will send you mockups, no stone is made without your final sign off.

Yes, we do not apply for permits, we will help you with this and provide the information required to help you do this.

We require full upfront payment before we proceed with making any memorial

The average cost of a headstone in the UK can vary depending on the size, shape, material, and level of customisation. Generally, headstones can range from £800 to £2,500 or more, with additional costs for lettering, designs, and any special features.

Headstones can be made from various materials, including granite, marble, limestone, and slate. Slate is known for its durability, timeless beauty, and resistance to weathering, making it a popular choice for memorials.

 At Honister Slate Mine, we specialise in high-quality slate headstones, handcrafted from our own distinctive Lake District slate. Our slate headstones are renowned for their strength, unique textures, and beautiful colour. Our slate headstones start from £2,282 + VAT, which includes the headstone with a base, basic inscription, design and consultation service, and haulage. Each piece is crafted to your exact specifications, with options for unique sizes, shapes, and engraving designs.

Each headstone is crafted to your specific requirements, whether you need a particular size, shape, or engraved design. Once you provide the required measurements, shape, and any special engraving or design requests, we can offer a personalised quotation tailored to your needs. Our skilled stonemasons will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your tribute is both beautiful and lasting.

Once the final design is approved and payment is received, the lead time for creating your headstone or memorial is typically between 4 and 6 weeks. This allows our skilled craftsmen to carefully create and personalise your gravestone to the highest standards.

While the colour of a headstone or memorial can influence its appearance, it’s the material that truly determines its durability. Honister Green Slate, also known as Westmorland Green Slate, is a premium stone with a distinctive green-blue hue and fine grain that sets it apart from the more common grey slate. Its unique colouring and texture are the result of being formed over 450 million years through intense geological processes, making it not only a stunning choice but also one of the most durable natural stones available.

Highly resistant to weathering, frost, and moss growth, Honister Green Slate retains its rich colour and natural beauty for generations, offering a timeless, elegant finish. As a showcase of nature's craftsmanship, it embodies a premium feel and enduring quality, making it the perfect choice for a lasting tribute.

A good quote for a headstone or memorial is something that captures the essence of your loved one. Whether it’s a simple “In Loving Memory,” “Forever in Our Hearts,” or “Rest in Peace,” it should be a reflection of who they were. Many people also choose religious verses, poems, or personal sayings. At Honister Slate Mine, we’re here to help you choose a quote that feels just right for your tribute.

A good Bible verse for a headstone might be "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25), reflecting hope and faith in eternal life.

Not at all! Slate is an incredibly strong and durable material, known for its resilience. Unlike some other stones, slate resists cracking, frost, and weathering, ensuring that your memorial stays intact and beautiful for generations to come. At Honister Slate Mine, we use high-quality slate from the last working mine in England, ensuring every memorial we create is built to last.

Slate is considered a premium material because it combines natural beauty, exceptional durability, and rarity. The process of mining, cutting, and shaping slate into headstones requires skilled craftsmanship, making it more costly than other stones like granite.