The Monumental Masons Association of South Australia - Frequently Asked Questions

Most families only have to organise a Memorial once in their lifetime and often there are many questions that they need to ask and families' want clear and concise answers to their questions. This section of our website is designed to cover some of the most asked questions.

Should I order my memorial with a person who is a Member of your Association?
What is a Memorial?
What materials are used to make a Memorial?
Are Memorials erected to a standard?
Are our Memorials guaranteed?
Will my memorial be covered by Insurance if vandalised?
Can I design my own Memorial?
I am from an Ethnic background - can the inscription be done in my own language?
Should the Mason give me a written contract?
What are Cemetery Regulations?
Cemetery fees - what are they?
Why do I need approval from the Cemetery to erect a memorial?
Can my Memorial be any colour?
What type of lettering is available?
What is the best type of lettering for my headstone?
My father/mother was in the Services (Army/Navy/Airforce). Can we put his/her War Service details on the headstone?
My father/mother was a keen gardener, can we cut a rose or flower onto the headstone?
Can I go into the Cemetery and do the work myself?
How do I keep my Memorial clean?
I have an old family grave that needs some repairs?
How long is my lease on the grave site?
If I don't renew my lease - can I take the Memorial home once it expires?
What happens to my headstone if I don't renew the lease?
I have a complaint and my Monumental Mason won't fix the problem?

Should I order my memorial with a person who is a Member of your Association?
Members of our Association are bound by a Code of Ethics and are required to construct all Memorials in Accordance with Australian Standards.

What is a Memorial?
A memorial is a tangible tribute to your family member. Its design and the information on the memorial should reflect your loved ones personality and life.

What materials are used to make a Memorial?
Can be made of granite, marble, slate, sandstone or bronze.

Are Memorials erected to a standard?
Members of our Association are bound to construct a memorial in accordance with the AUSTRALIAN STANDARD FOR MONUMENTS - AS 4204 - 1994

Are our Memorials guaranteed?
Most Monumental Masons will offer a guarantee against faulty workmanship and or materials. Check with the Company you have chosen to ensure they will give you a guarantee.

Will my memorial be covered by Insurance if vandalised?
This is perhaps one of the hardest questions to deal with. Because your headstone is out in the open, no insurance company will cover you against vandalism and neither will the Cemetery. Most Cemeteries take acts of vandalism seriously and have measures in place to limit their impact.

Can I design my own Memorial?
Individuals are encouraged to create their own design. Your Mason will advise you if the design you have chosen meets the regulations of the Cemetery.

I am from an Ethnic background - can the inscription be done in my own language?
Generally the answer is yes. Most Monumental Masons have State of the Art computer technology to ensure inscriptions in all languages can be produced.

Should the Mason give me a written contract?
All reputable Monumental Masons should supply you with a written copy of your contract, clearly setting out the terms and conditions of the contract.

The contract should include:-

Details of the design you have selected (and preferably a sketch), wording, any extras i.e., photo and frame, statues, ceramic roses, engraved artwork etc.,
The total cost of the memorial including fixing, the deposit paid and the balance which is payable on completion.
The Cemetery fees charged.
An estimated completion date
Details of their guarantee

What are Cemetery Regulations?
Each Cemetery and Sections within that Cemetery have a set of rules and regulations by which all Monumental Masons must abide. The regulations usually relate to the maximum or minimum height allowed, depth and width of the Memorial. Every Mason should have a list of the regulations for each Cemetery and can advise you accordingly.

Cemetery fees - what are they?
This is the most asked question by families, as they believe they have already paid all fees relating to the Cemetery and burial. A Cemetery fee is a fee that is charged by the Cemetery to approve your Memorial application. The amount of Cemetery fee charged varies from Cemetery to Cemetery and even the design of the memorial can alter the fee. Your Monumental Mason will collect the money on behalf of the Cemetery and when they apply for permission to erect the memorial, the money is forward to the Cemetery.

Why do I need approval from the Cemetery to erect a memorial?
No Memorial can be placed in a Cemetery without their prior knowledge and approval. The Application for Memorial form which your Mason will ask you sign when you order the Memorial is forwarded to the Cemetery, showing the design you have chosen, the colour, the size and the writing you are placing on the headstone.

The Cemetery will check that (1) the person is actually interred in their Cemetery (2) the size and colour of the Memorial meets their regulations (3) that the names, dates etc., coincide with the information they have on their files, (4) the correct fee is being paid and that the person who has signed the Application for Memorial form is the authorised person or has the authority to organise the Memorial on behalf of the family of the deceased.

Can my Memorial be any colour?
Most Cemeteries throughout South Australia do not have restrictions on the colour of stone to be used. There are however a few Cemeteries where the use of black and dark colours is limited. Check with the Cemetery or your Monumental Mason.

What type of lettering is available?
Engraved letters. The letters are sandblasted or cut into the stone. They can be left natural, enamel paint may be added or 22 - 23 carat gold leaf can be used. Recommended for use on Granite, Marble or Sandstone. Natural engraved only on Slate.

Hand "V" cut letters. The letters are sandblasted or cut into the stone and then a "V" is cut by hand using a pneumatic hammer and chisels. They can be left natural, enamel paint may be added or 22 - 23 carat gold leaf can be used. Recommended for use on Granite, Marble or Sandstone. Natural only on Slate.

Embossed letters. The letters are in the colour of the stone and the background is sandblasted away i.e., the letters are raised. This style of lettering is highly recommended where tablets are lying flat into the ground. They are the most durable for these harsh conditions. Enamel paint can be added to the background if required.

Lead letters. The letters are made from lead and highly recommended for use on Marble. The letters are sandblasted into the marble then several individual holes are drilled in each letter into which the lead is beaten by hand and shaped with rasps and sanding blocks to achieve the smooth flat finish.

Raised lead letters. This style of lettering is not as popular and is mostly used when the style of an existing inscription needs to be matched. It is extremely labour intensive and very expensive.

What is the best type of lettering for my headstone?
The best type of lettering is dependent on the type of stone you have selected, plus Cemetery conditions play a major role in "how long the wording will remain readable." Discuss your ideas with the Mason and will advise you on the best type of lettering for your Cemetery conditions.

My father/mother was in the Services (Army/Navy/Airforce). Can we put his/her War Service details on the headstone?
Yes you can. Your Monumental Mason will apply for permission from the Office of Australian War Graves in Canberra.

My father/mother was a keen gardener, can we cut a rose or flower onto the headstone?
Yes you can. All Masons have a large selection of motifs that can be used, or alternatively bring in a picture of your favourite flower and we can either cut it by hand or scan it into the computer. Families are encouraged to use personalised motifs. It reflects the character of their loved one.

Can I go into the Cemetery and do the work myself?
Generally the answer is no. Most Cemeteries have laws which say that all work carried out must be done by a Monumental Mason who holds a license to work in that Cemetery. The licensed Mason must also hold $10 million dollars in Public Liability Insurance and have a certificate of currency for Work cover or personal Indemnity Insurance.

How do I keep my Memorial clean?
Your Mason should explain to you the best method of maintaining your Memorial. We recommend that only clean water and a chamois or soft clothe be used. NO abrasives, detergents, polishes, brushes or scourers should be used.

I have an old family grave that needs some repairs?
Restoration of an old family grave is definitely a task that should be handled by a reputable Monumental Mason. The structure of the grave becomes unstable and subsequently unsafe. The headstone will probably be made of marble or slate that has weathered over the years and can be fragile to work with. We suggest you contact a Mason and meet with them at the Cemetery to discuss your options on restoration of the site.

How long is my lease on the grave site?
Families still believe they hold a 99 year lease on the grave site, but this is not always the case. The length of a lease varies from Cemetery to Cemetery and also depends on whether or not your site is for burial, cremated remains or both. The Funeral Director should have advised you of the tenure of your lease at the time of organising the funeral. If in doubt contact the Cemetery or ask your Monumental Mason.

If I don't renew my lease - can I take the Memorial home once it expires?
Some families opt to keep their family memorial and most Cemeteries allow for their collection. (Proof of ownership will be required). Headstones are extremely heavy and cumbersome and their removal of the headstone from the Cemetery should be done by a Monumental Mason who has a license to work in that Cemetery. They must also hold certificates of currency on all Insurance requirements.

What happens to my headstone if I don't renew the lease?
If you don't want to keep the stone, the Cemetery will dispose of it for you. They are usually crushed and tumbled. Check with your Cemetery if you have any concerns re the method of disposal.

I have a complaint and my Monumental Mason won't fix the problem?
Problems and disputes can arise from time to time. If you can't resolve the issue with your Mason, please write to our Association outlining the details of your complaint and we will look into the matter on your behalf.