Additional inscriptions are usually needed when another person is to be commemorated on an existing memorial.
We add new wording to existing memorials with attention to the original stone, lettering style, spacing and finish. The aim is for the new inscription to sit naturally with what is already there.
Established in 1880, Burslem has long experience in the care, lettering and restoration of memorials in churchyards, cemeteries and places of remembrance.
Most additional inscriptions for headstones are carried out after removing the memorial from its position. This allows the stone to be worked on safely and helps us match the original inscription as closely as possible.
In some situations, work can be carried out in situ. This is more common with certain cemeteries, churchyard stones, commemorative plaques, benches, walls of remembrance or public monuments where removal is not appropriate.
We will advise on the right method after seeing the memorial and understanding its condition.
Memorial inscription updates may include cleaning, restoration, repainting, gilding, or refreshing the existing lettering at the same time as the new inscription.
This is often worth considering where the first inscription has been weathered. It can help the old and new lettering sit together more evenly.
For burials, the memorial may need to be left off for a period while the grave settles. This is often around six to twelve months, depending on the circumstances and the requirements of the authority involved.
Ash burials may not require the same waiting period.
Most memorial work requires some form of permission. We can help prepare the paperwork, liaise with the relevant authority, and keep the process as clear as possible.
We consider:
Where space allows, extra commemoration lines can be added in a balanced layout.
Our process usually includes:
You work directly with our team, from first advice through to completion. Our BRAMM accreditation gives added reassurance that the work is carried out to recognised memorial masonry standards.
Regular attention can help maintain a memorial over time, especially when the inscription is covered with moss.
If we have worked on a memorial previously, we are able to provide ongoing care with an understanding of the materials and methods used.
If an existing memorial needs a further inscription, you are welcome to speak to us directly. Call 01892 750120 or email enquiries@burslem.co.uk.
