A lasting tribute

Choosing a headstone for a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional decision.

At Honister Slate Mine, we understand the importance of creating a lasting tribute that truly reflects the person it honours.

Each headstone and memorial plaque is crafted by one of our skilled stone masons using traditional techniques and tools to produce a unique and beautiful tribute that will be
cherished by family and friends for generations to come.

We personalise each headstone with engraved lettering and designs to ensure that it reflects the life and personality of your loved one and how you would like them to be
remembered.

Headstone Guidance Download

Why Lake District Slate from Honister?

  • Standing the test of time

    Honister slate is a high-quality and durable material that is perfect for use in headstones and memorial plaques.

    It is renowned for its resistance to weather and does not encourage the growth of mosses or lichens, ensuring that the headstone remains looking beautiful for years to come.

    It is also impervious to frost, which means that it will not crack or become damaged in cold temperatures.

  • Lake District Memories

    For those who have a connection to or appreciation for the Lake District, our Westmorland green slate headstones are a fitting tribute. Its beautiful colour and unique texture make it a stunning and timeless choice that will stand the test of time.

  • Personal Touch

    We understand that the
    process of choosing a headstone can be overwhelming.

    That's why our experts are here to guide you through every step of the process, from selecting
    the right size and shape to designing and engraving the perfect tribute.

    We pride ourselves on offering exceptional customer service and producing headstones of the highest quality.

What wording to choose?

When it comes to wording for a memorial, you need to consider font as well as inscription.

Different fonts can add character to a gravestone.

The most popular option is a Roman font or one very similar. Highly stylised fonts such as elaborate ‘script’ like fonts may look good on paper but are often very unsuitable when cutting into stone.


More simple italic style fonts are often used for verses, bible passages, poetry, and quotes.

The inscription is one of the most important parts of a gravestone. It’s the message that will represent the life of your loved one and should be timeless and dignified.

It can contain anything from bible passages to quotes to poems, and should summarise the dead person’s life, beliefs, and accomplishments.

This can be very difficult since it’s hard to summarise somebody in just a few words. Common phrases include 'Rest in Peace', 'In loving memory of…', 'Forever in our thoughts', etc.


Any personal phrases need to be checked to make sure they comply with the rules and regulations belonging to your cemetery.

How to order a Headstone or memorial from Honister Slate Mine?

Once you have received guidance from your chosen burial ground on permissions and sought out an approved stonemason for installation, we can begin the process of quotation & lettering design, we are able to supply lettered stones or blank stones for hand carvers to letter.


We would require height, width and depth measurements including any shaping or edging required.


Usual thickness is 3-inch, 4-inch, or 5-inch.

We produce an array of polished headstone shapes, these are all available with our honed finish stones which is a smooth matt finish to the stone.

We also produce natural monolith memorial stones which are a more rustic finish with natural edging on, these stones replicate mountain shapes and require their faces polished for lettering.

  • Being a small family run business we understand the emotional ties in these sensitive order and can assure you that we will be with you personally every step of the way through the process offering guidance, experience and support.

  • Sales@honister.com

    01768777230

  • We are open 7 days a week to show you around our site and workshop so not only can you see where your stone will be handmade but so you can visit us to talk through all options for a lasting memorial for your loved ones.


    If visiting is not an option, we are always a phone call away.

Would you like to know more about our Headstones?

Please contact us below and we will be in touch.

FAQ'S

How much does it cost?

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.

Do I need a base?

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.

What is a monolith style stone?

A monolith style 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

Can I have any lettering?

Yes you should, however, you should check with your local council and churchyard as they may need to approve the design.

We can email a mock up at this stage to help which you can print or email forward for approval. 

When it comes to wording for a gravestone, you need to consider font as well as inscription. Different fonts can add character to a gravestone. The most popular option is a Roman font or one very similar. Highly stylised fonts such as elaborate ‘script’ like fonts may look good on paper but are often very unsuitable when cutting into stone.
More simple italic style fonts are often used for verses, bible passages, poetry, and quotes.
The inscription is one of the most important parts of a gravestone. It’s the message that will represent the life of your loved one and should be timeless and dignified. It can contain anything from bible passages to quotes to poems, and should summarise the dead person’s life, beliefs, and accomplishments. This can be very difficult since it’s hard to summarise somebody in just a few words. Common phrases include 'Rest in Peace', 'In loving memory of…', 'Forever in our thoughts', etc.
Any personal phrases need to be checked to make sure they comply with the rules and regulations belonging to your cemetery.

Will the stone last?

Yes, it will. It is a strong material and is renowned for its durability
and longevity. 

How do I maintain the stone?

You do not have to do anything to maintain the stone 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.

Do you sell blank stones?

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

Can your stone be handcarved?

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

Can I have an image on a stone?

We can engrave images onto our 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.

How long does it take?

From the final design sign off and payment lead time is approximately between 4 and 6 weeks.

When can I install a headstone on a grave?

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.

Headstone rules in cemeteries?

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.

Headstone rules in churchyards?

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.”

Can I get proofs of my memorial?

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

Do I need to contact the church or the council?

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

How do I pay for my memorial?

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

Testimonials

  • Paul Tilbury

    "I'd like to pass on a huge thank you for arranging the memorial stone. It looks great and is a fitting memorial to a man who loved the Lakes."

  • Stacy Howarth

    "Thank you so much for the beautifully crafted headstone you made for my son. From start to finish you have been outstanding with your customer service, advice, and efficiency. The headstone is just like the design and is exactly how I imagined it."

  • Di & Fred Cooke

    "We are very pleased with the stone and glad that’s it’s now in situ. Thank you for all your help. Although much of the order was done by email as we’re 400 miles and Rochelle and the team were fantastic."