Choosing a memorial often starts with the finished piece: its shape, inscription, stone and carved detail. At Burslem Memorials, our stone-carving craftsmanship in memorials combines traditional hand skills with modern workshop methods, choosing each approach to suit the material, design and setting.
There is no single “best” way to carve a memorial. Hand cutting may suit one stone, while CNC cutting or sandblasting may give a better result on another. Craftsmanship is therefore better judged by the suitability and quality of the finished work than by the tool alone.
Thinking about carved detail or lettering?
If you have an idea for an inscription, symbol, floral detail or another carved element, our stone engraving and carving service explains the methods we use and what may suit different stones. You are welcome to speak to us before the design is final. Call 01892 750120 or email enquiries@burslem.co.uk.
Good memorial carving is about using the method that allows the stone, lettering and design to work properly together.
How stone carving became part of our memorial making
The general history of stone carving is also part of Burslem’s own history. Established in 1880, we first worked on sandstone houses and churches across Kent and East Sussex. After the First World War, memorial work became increasingly important, including hand carving and engraving memorials in Portland Stone.
The tools have developed, but the principle remains: understand the stone, plan the design carefully and choose a method that produces the intended result.
From an idea to a carved memorial
Creating bespoke memorial art is not simply adding decoration to a finished headstone. The carving needs to work with the scale, inscription and character of the stone, as well as the setting where the memorial will stand.
Details may include floral designs, religious or military symbols, family crests, figures or other individual elements. Some ideas translate readily into stone; others need adapting because fine detail, depth and finish behave differently across materials.
The tools and techniques behind the craft
Whichever method is used, layout, spacing, depth and finishing still require careful judgement.
Hand cutting
Traditional hand cutting forms letters or detail directly in the stone. V-cut lettering catches light in a distinctive way. It is also useful where new work needs to sit naturally beside an older hand-cut inscription.
CNC cutting
CNC, or Computer Numerical Control, uses a digital design to guide cutting. It can create lettering, shaped edges, curves, floral motifs, figures and other details.
Sandblasting
Sandblasting uses a stencil to protect parts of the surface while exposed stone is cut by abrasive blasting. It is commonly used on harder materials such as granite and can be combined with painted or gilded lettering where appropriate.
Why the stone changes the carving method
The design cannot be separated from the material. Softer stones generally lend themselves well to hand-carved detail, while polished granite can suit detailed etched designs.
That is why we consider stone and material choices alongside carving. A useful rule is not to choose a technique first and force the stone to fit it. The memorial should be considered as a whole.
Why carved memorials endure
Why hand-carved memorials endure is partly about the cut itself, but longevity depends on more than whether work was done by hand. Stone type, letter depth, finish and exposure also matter.
Craftsmanship also matters when work is added later. For an additional inscription, letter height, spacing, style and surface condition need to be considered so the new wording sits naturally with the original.
Craftsmanship is a matter of judgement
The most appropriate memorial is not necessarily the most elaborate. Good work may be restrained, detailed, traditional or contemporary. What matters is that the stone, lettering, carved detail and method have been considered together.
Our design process explains how ideas, stone, inscriptions, permissions and making are brought together.
Discussing a memorial with us
If you would like to talk through a carving, inscription or memorial design, you are welcome to call us on 01892 750120 or email enquiries@burslem.co.uk. We can explain the options before you make any decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Is hand carving better than machine carving?
Not automatically, as the appropriate method depends on the result required. Hand cutting, CNC and sandblasting suit different stones, designs and finishes.
Which stone is best for hand carving?
Limestone, slate, marble and sandstone are generally well suited to hand carving. The final choice should also suit the design and setting.
Can a memorial include a bespoke carved design?
Yes. Floral work, symbols, crests, figures and other details can be considered where they suit the stone and the rules of the setting.
Can new carving match an older memorial?
Often, yes. Matching involves studying the existing letter style, spacing, height, finish and surface condition so the addition sits naturally with the original.
Does hand-carved lettering last longer?
Not simply because it is hand carved. Durability also depends on the stone, depth and shape of the letters, finish, exposure and condition of the memorial.