Choosing a Memorial - Frequently Asked Questions
A memorial is a lasting tribute to a life now ended; and expression of love and respect for the life of a person. It is a source of comfort to those who are left behind and will continue to act as a record of a life long after those who remember are themselves gone. Choosing and designing a memorial is a unique opportunity to create a work of art that will express the personality of a person for generations to come. It is therefore very important to make the right decisions, and to make those decisions requires an understanding of all the options available.
- Whatshapes are there to choose from?
- What text should I choose?
- What lettering styles are available?
- What ornamentation is available?
- Do I need to contact the Church Authorites for permission to erect a monument on a grave?
- How much are the Church fees?
- How much will a memorial cost?
Q: What shapes are there to choose from?
A: Because of cost, memorials used to be generally square cut. Today with the advent of modern machenery, there is now an enormous choice in terms of the shapes of headstones. Click here to see our standard shapes or e-mail us using our Enquiry Form if you have a specific shape in mind.
Q: What text should I use?
A:A memorial should record certain basic details - the name of the deceased, their date of death and their date of birth or their age. Beyond this it may mention their family, address, occupation or other interests. An appropriate verse of poetry might complete the inscription.
Q: What lettering syles are available?
A: Lettering should be considered within the context of the design of the memorial as a whole. Done well, it can make a memorial look attractive without the need for any other ornamentation. Letters can be finished in 23.5 carat gold leaf, silver paint, or left natural (cut only). If lettering is left natural, you must consider that when the stone is wet, the letters will darken temporarily.
We have a wide range of text styles available (fonts), and if you have one in partcular in mind, we will of course endeavour to use it providing that it is suitable for engraving and complies with the regulations of the particular Churchyard.
Q: What ornamentation is available?
A: In the same way that lettering makes a statement about the person being remembered, so too can ornamentation. It can depict a persons job, their favorite hobby or pastime, a personal achievement or just simply something they liked. It can also be symbolic. For example, a rose is a symbol of everlasting love, a lily denotes purity, and an olive branch indicates peace. We are able to create personalised motifs suitable for engraving from photographs, jewellery, even just an idea. If you would like for us to include a personal symbol on your loved ones memorial, please contact us on 01621 823331 or email rosie@pooilvaaish.comto discuss your options.
Q: Do I need to contact the Church Authorites for permission to erect a monument on a grave?
A: Graveyards on the Isle of Man are operated by the Vicar and Wardens of the various parishes. They have guidelines which vary from yard to yard as to what type of memorial is acceptable. Pooil Vaaish will guide you as to what is likely to be approved, and will approach the relevant authority on your behalf once you decide to go ahead.
Q: How much are the church fees?
A: There are usually fees payable to the parish authorities for the erection of a memorial or for an additional inscription to an existing memorial. These costs do vary but you will be advised of these as they are included in all of our itemised memorial quotes.
Q: How much will a memorial cost?
A: The cost of manufacturing and installing a memorial varies enormously according to the shape and size of a memorial, the material from which it is made, the amount of text, ornamentation and the choice of gold, silver or natural finish to pick out the design. The staff at Pooil Vaaish will be happy to discuss and offer advice on all of these variables and will produce a scale visual of the proposed memorial together with a breakdown of the costs in the quotation.