Funeral directory
Memorial masonry in Northern Ireland
A guide to memorial masonry in Northern Ireland — headstones, additional inscriptions, renovations and cleaning, materials and cemetery regulations.
Quick answer
A memorial is a lasting tribute to a life. As Memorial Masons, David Crymble & Sons craft headstones, add inscriptions, and clean and restore memorials, checking each cemetery's rules for you. This page explains the options and materials.
A memorial is not merely a marker — it is a lasting symbol of remembrance. We design and craft memorials with care, and care for those already in place.
Headstones & memorials
We craft headstones in a range of styles, materials and finishes, shaped around your loved one and meeting your cemetery's regulations. Browse our memorial gallery and try the memorial estimate tool for an indicative guide price.
Additional inscriptions
When a family grave is reopened, we add new inscriptions to an existing memorial, matching the original lettering and finish as closely as possible.
Cleaning, renovation & repair
Over time, weather and pollution take their toll. We clean, re-letter, re-level and restore memorials — it is far easier and less costly to preserve a memorial than to restore one.
Materials & regulations
Granite, marble, limestone and slate each weather differently. Every cemetery and churchyard sets rules on size, material and lettering, and a new grave needs time to settle first — we check the regulations for you.
Directory coming soon
A searchable directory is on the way
We are building a searchable directory for this section. Soon you will be able to search by:
- Memorial type
- Material
- Cemetery rules
- Inscription options
- Renovation services
In the meantime, the information above is here to help — and you can call us any hour for guidance.
Need help now?
If someone has died or you are unsure what to do next, David Crymble & Sons Funeral Directors are available 24 hours a day. We can guide you step by step — whether the death has happened at home, in hospital, in a care home, or elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
How soon can a headstone be placed on a new grave?
A new grave usually needs several months to settle before a memorial is fixed. We advise on timing for your cemetery.
Can you add an inscription to an existing memorial?
Yes — we add new inscriptions, matching the existing lettering and finish as closely as possible.
Do you clean and restore old memorials?
Yes — cleaning, re-lettering, re-levelling and full restoration. Preserving a memorial is easier and cheaper than restoring one.
What materials are available?
Granite, marble, limestone and slate, in a range of colours and finishes, subject to cemetery rules.
Do you check the cemetery regulations?
Yes — as Memorial Masons we confirm the rules for your chosen cemetery or churchyard before any work begins.
Related resources
Last reviewed: June 2026 · Reviewed by: David Crymble & Sons
Sources: official guidance from NI Direct, HSC NI, MoneyHelper, Marie Curie, Cruse and the relevant councils, where applicable.
This page is for general guidance only. Requirements can change, so please check with the relevant official organisation or contact David Crymble & Sons for help.