• S. Clarke & Son Memorials

    Welcome to our Headstone Builder!

    (A unique app created especially for S. Clarke & Son Memorials.)

  • We supply and erect headstones across Northern Ireland.
    (Mainland UK / islands / Republic of Ireland / other countries excluded).
    Our main coverage area includes: Greater Belfast / Co. Antrim (south) / Co. Down / Co. Armagh.
    Anywhere outside this will incure surchanges,
    meaning it is unlikely our prices will be competitive with local suppliers.

    (Although this is mobile-friendly, it may be easier on a tablet,
    desktop computer,     or other device with a larger screen.)

    Please have the grave papers to hand before proceeding. If these are not available, you'll need ownership details, section and grave number. These can be obtained from the council, or church. (For new graves in Council cemeteries, we cannot process paperwork or provide a fully detailed quotation until you have received the grave papers confirming the grave section & grave number.)

    You'll be presented with these steps:

    1. Choose the Headstone Options
    2. Add Grave Information
    3. Edit the Inscription
    4. Add any Extras
    5. Submit to receive a Quotation, Scaled Proof & Paperwork

    You can take a break at any time- click Save and it'll email you a link to continue later.

    This app is intended for submitting a NEW order.

    To make alterations to an existing order, please give us a call: 028 9181 2168, or email us with details: memorials@sclarkeandson.co.uk). 

    Are you ready to get started? 

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  • 1: Choose the Headstone

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  • See our range of granites: STONE COLOURS (Black is the most popular).
    We stock most in black and some in dark grey.

  • This headstone / colour combination is not in stock, so will have an inscreased lead time.

  •  NOTE:  This headstone can't have a sub-base due to its height.

  •  NOTE:  Cathedral: includes a weathered pitched base, which doesn't allow for a vase or other base options. Dark Grey is usually in stock, it can't have a sub-base due to the height.

  •  NOTE:  This headstone has an Ogee Base as standard, which only permits a centre flower vase.

    If you would prefer a flat-front base instead (allowing other vase options), please add this as a note in the "Additional Requirements" section at the end.

    • BASE: Flat Front included as standard (click for other options) 
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    • Flat-Front Base: usually included as standard (unless noted otherwise)

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    • Ogee- Base+Sub-Base: +£150 (black granite base & G603 grey sub-base)

      Ogee- Base only: +£100

      NOTE: can only have a centre vase

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    • Splayed Base: +£60 (in black granite). NOTE: cannot have a centre vase.

    • SUB-BASE: £90 polished grey, width as base included as std (click for options) 
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    • Exclude Granite Sub-base: lettering guaranteed for 1 year.

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    • Include Sub-Base: +£90 In polished G603 grey granite. (Most popular choice.)

      Lettering guaranteed for 6 years.

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    • Polished Black Granite Sub-Base (to match headstone): +£100 

      (Polished Granite Sub-Base- other colours to match headstone: +£POA)

      Lettering guaranteed for 6 years.

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    • Sub-base width to match headstone base (standard)

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    • Extend Sub-base (only):  +£30 (polished grey granite)

      For Extended Sub-base in Polished Black Granite: choose Sub-Base Colour as black above.

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    • Extend Base* & Sub-base**: +£110 (*polished black granite **polished grey granite)
      For Extended Sub-base in Polished Black Granite: choose Sub-Base Colour as black above.
      Extend Sub-base (in other colours to match headstone): +£POA

    • FLOWER VASE: Not included as standard (click for options) 

    • Flower Vase

      If you are likely to place fresh flowers on the grave regularly, we can include a vase in the headstone base. (Although shown below in gold, the top will be coloured to match the inscription.) Vases are less popular now as many prefer to place pot plants / planters on a grave as they last longer than cut flowers. (+£20 each)

      • If you choose an Ogee Base- there is only room for a centre vase. 
      • If you choose a Splayed Base- you can't have a centre vase.
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    • Summary 
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    • That's the Headstone selection complete!
      To take a break: click SAVE, a link is emailed for later. (skip account setup)
      For a headstone price and stock check- give us a call: (028) 9181 2168

      To prevent data loss / allow you to save & continue later- please add name & email:

    • NOTE: Completing this form confirms consent for your data to be processed and securely stored in compliance with the company's Data Protection, Privacy and GDPR Policies.

      NEXT: add grave details & choose the inscription...

  • 2. Grave Details

    Cemeteries will have a charge for a new headstone. The fee may differ depending on the section and grave number. 

    Grave location information: For Council cemeteries, the details of the grave are shown on the grave lease certificate which is sent from the Council (via registered post) about 8 weeks after buying the grave. If the exact location details aren't known, we can give you an approximate price ahead of a formal quotation if you add "tbc" in the Grave Number box below.

    We cannot provide a fully detailed quotation until you receive the grave lease from the Council confirming the section and grave number. 

  • New Grave (in a Council Cemetery):

    Please wait until you have received the Grave Lease from the Council before continuing. (This can take 8 weeks from buying the grave.)

    We cannot provide an accurate quotation / apply for Council permission for a new memorial until you / the owner has received the ownership certificate (Grave Lease), confirming the section and grave number. 

    No work can start on a new memorial until planning permission has been received back from the Council. We lodge planning permission with a copy of the grave lease on your behalf at the time of the order. 

    New Grave (in a church graveyard):

    Please continue with the order. We just need the location details, usually available from the church / graveyard convenor. 

  • The grave owner's details:

    Please add the name and postal address of the grave owner in the Contacts section at the end. We will need a copy of the Grave Lease with the signed paperwork. (If a Power of Attorney is signing on their behalf we will also need evidence of appointment.)

    This form can be completed on behalf of the grave owner, filling in their details and we can email the paperwork to you / another family member, but the paperwork must be addressed to the owner.

     

  •  The grave owner is deceased / unable to sign:

    We must address everything to their immediate surviving next-of-kin / Executor* / Executrix* / Power of Attorney* for signing. This should be the same person who signed at the time of burial. (*We will need evidence of appointment if Executor, Executrix, or Power of Attorney.) 

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    • Click SAVE to take a break, get emailed a link & return later. (skip account setup) 
       NEXT: Choose the inscription...

  • 3. Edit the Inscription

    (Names are in CAPITALS, with all other words in Leading Caps.)
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  • To allow a grave to be found in a cemetery, epitaphs traditionally start with the surname in large capital letters at the top of the memorial. (See Formatting notes on next page.)

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    • Notes on 'Proper Case' formatting (click for info) 

    • Headstone epitaphs traditionally use formal "Proper Case" with every word in Leading Capitals (including articles, prepositions and conjunctions). The more widely used, but less formal "Title Case", (which also uses Leading Capitals, but excludes articles, prepositions and conjunctions), is never used on a memorial.

  • (d) Relationships

    (OPTIONAL) In the format: {Adjective} relationships starting with closest. (All words in Leading Caps.)
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  •  NOTE:   Why it's better to only name the deceased Memorial epitaphs are intended to focus solely on the deceased. Naming living relatives on a headstone inscription diverts the focus off the deceased and it is possible that these named loved ones may appear in a future inscription, meaning they are named twice. If named previously, adding a future inscription becomes complicated and wordy. 

  • (e) Date of Death

    NOTE: 'Date of Birth - Date of Death' is sometimes seen as a bit clinical, so Died / Called Home / Passed Away {date} are more popular.
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    • - DoB - DoD (formats) 
    • - DoB - DoD (text) 

    • Date of Birth:

    • Date of Death:

    • - DoB - DoD (numeric) 

    • Date of Birth:

    • Date of Death:

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    •  NOTE:   Depending on the chosen headstone width, the "In Full" above may not fit. In this instance we will use the "Shortened" option instead.

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  • (f) Base Inscription

    (OPTIONAL) All words in Leading Caps.
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    • Base Inscription Positioning This inscription can be moved up onto the bottom of the headstone, but it will be hidden by flowers and limits the space available for future inscriptions. To have it moved up- please add this request into Other Requirements on the next page.

    • Inscr formatting (HIDDEN) 
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    • That's the Inscription complete!

      NEXT: choose letter colour & font / see available optional extras

  • Lettering Colour

    All colour finishes are the same price. Some granite colours will limit the choice of lettering colours to allow them to remain readable. (Leaving letters uncoated can mean the rough stone finish is difficult to read, especially when wet and may need cleaning / maintenance.) Click below to select. Click again to deselect / change.
    • Lettering Font (Standard: Times) -click for options 

    • Lettering Font

      Times is the most popular choice and also allows for a secondary font to be used if desired. Click below to select. Click again to deselect / change. (If left unselected, Times will be used for all lettering.)

    • Secondary Font

      Added on the 'In Loving Memory' line + base inscription, a script font contrasts well with Times as the main font. (Adding more than one line in a script font can make the inscription difficult to read.) Click below to select. Click again to deselect / change. Leave unselected to have the inscription all the one font as chosen above.

    • NOTE: We would advise that you only use a secondary font when Times is the Primary Font.

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    • EXTRAS: Add Graphics / Emblems - (click for details) 

    • Graphics / Emblems

      Emblems may be limited to service badges. (If unsure, please contact the Council / church / cemetery operator to check what is permitted as the rules can differ.) We can add a graphic or emblem to the headstone either in full colour or matching the inscription colour. These are usually placed to the left of the inscription to signify the link to the deceased.

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    • EXTRAS: Add a Ceramic Photo - (click for details) 

    • Ceramic Photo

      We can add a photo of the deceased to the headstone. Usually in a 9cm x 12cm Oval, these are normally placed to the left of the inscription, allowing future inscriptions to also have photos added beside them. It is important to supply a high a quality photograph as we print directly from it onto the ceramic at 600dpi. A physical photo can be brought to your nearest branch for us to scan, or a high-definition digital photo (minimum 300dpi) can be emailed to us. Note: social media and online photos are generally only 72dpi and although they look good on screen, are not of good enough quality to print from.

      Price: £80 (includes VAT & fitting to the headstone.) 

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    • Please either bring a physical photo to your nearest branch for us to scan, or send us a high-definition digital photo (minimum 300dpi) to: Email: memorials:sclarkeandson.co.uk / WhatsApp: 07923 996 551.

      (Note: Online / social media photos are generally 72dpi so not high enough quality to use.)

    • EXTRAS: Add Ceramic Flowers - (click for details) 

    • Ceramic Flowers

      We have a selection of delicate handmade ceramic flowers which can sit in the vase when no fresh flowers have been placed on the grave. These are individually made for us exclusively by a local ceramicist. As each one is unique, with different flowers and colours, you would need to view these to pick one you like. You can see the selection at our Newtownards Branch when dropping off signed paperwork. Price: £65 each (includes VAT)

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    • EXTRAS: Grave Surfacing & Gravel - (click for details) 

    • Grave Surfacing & Gravel

      If the grave has a surround and the interior is surfaced, the Council will charge more to open the grave if cutting through concrete is required. Re-concreting cannot take place until a MINIMUM of 6-8 months after a burial to allow the grave to settle. If surfacing a grave for the first time, we would advise waiting until after the grave is full, with no further interments. 

      Often once concreted, a grave will have some form of gravel / chipping added as a decorative topping. Grey granite chippings are the most popular choice although white quartz chippings are also commonly used. (The disadvatage with white quartz is they are double the price of grey granite and tend to go green over time faster than the grey granite.)

      Gravel / chippings are usually supplied in 5kg bags and a single grave will require 5 bags, with a double grave usually needing 12 bags to ensure adequate coverage. 

      We can have this work done, please contact us for details. 

    • EXTRAS: Grave Surrounds / Garden Surrounds - (click for details) 
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    • Grave Surround / Full Surround

      A grave surround marks the grave boundary with granite kerbs and sometimes corner peon posts. The kerbs usually match the headstone and can be flat-topped or tapered. 

      Although grave surrounds are no longer permitted in most Council cemeteries, they are still allowed in some older cemeteries and churchyards. 

      Often the interior of a surround is concreted and topped with gravel / chippings. (See above for details). Once a surround is added to a grave, the maintenance of that grave reverts from the cemetery owner / operator to the family. This is important to consider before choosing to add a grave surround, as it places additional responsibility on family members for generations to come. Grave surrounds are costly and easily damaged when opening a grave. Cemetery operators do not take responsibility if damage is caused when opening a grave, so repairs must be paid for by the family and can be expensive. Grave surrounds have become less popular in recent years. 

      For these reasons we no longer do grave surrounds. We can provide you with details of contractors who do them should this be something you are interested in. Please contact us for their details. 

       

    •  Garden Surround

      Although a full surround is not permitted in most open-plan lawn cemeteries, often a "garden surround" is still allowed. These are placed in front of the headstone and are usually the width of the headstone or width of the grave and project foward by 1-2 feet / 30-60 cm in front of the memorial. Bounded by granite kerbs to match the headstone, the interior is often planted, or of concrete, covered in gravel / chippings. 

      Garden surrounds were more popular in the past, but they are costly, need to be removed and re-instated each time there is a burial and give maintenance issues as they tend to sink as the grave settles, pulling away from the headstone. 

      For these reasons we no longer do garden surrounds. We can provide you with details of contractors who do them should this be something you are interested in. Please contact us for their details.

       

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    • Grave Owner Contact Details:

      We must address everything to them for signing.

      PLEASE ADD THE GRAVE OWNER'S NAME & ADDRESS BELOW.

       

    • Next of Kin / Representative Contact Details:

       

      We must address everything to the grave owner's next of kin / power of attorney* / executor for signing*. (*proof of appointment is needed)

      PLEASE ADD THE NAME & ADDRESS OF THE GRAVE OWNER'S

      NEXT-OF-KIN / POWER OF ATTORNEY / EXECUTOR BELOW.

    • That's everything complete!

      We will email you as soon as possible with:

      • QUOTATION
      • SCALED PROOF 
      • COUNCIL PLANNING FORM(S)*   (*if applicable) 

      Paperwork can also be sent by post, WhatsApp, or for collection from Ards Reception.

      Press BACK to review your choices, then click SUBMIT.

       

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