What colours and finishes are available for headstones, and are there any restrictions?
Headstones are most commonly made from granite, available in colours including black, grey, red, and blue. The finish can be polished (shiny and reflective) or honed (flatter and more matt). What’s permitted depends on the burial ground – cemeteries tend to allow more choice, while churchyards, particularly Church of England ones, often restrict very dark, brightly coloured, or highly reflective stones. Permission is required before any headstone is installed, and the rules vary by burial authority and diocese. A qualified memorial mason will check the regulations for the specific site before advising on colour, finish, or style.
Choosing a headstone colour and finish is one of those decisions that feels straightforward until you start looking into it. Black granite looks striking on a showroom card, grey looks calm and traditional, and then you visit the burial ground and discover there are rules you didn’t know about.
It happens more often than you’d think. In our experience, many families only find out about colour or finish restrictions after they’ve already settled on something they love. That’s a frustrating position to be in, and it’s one we try to help people avoid from the start.
This article explains what the main granite colours look like in practice, what the difference between polished and honed finishes actually means, and where the rules tend to be stricter. It’s written to give you clear, steady guidance so you can make your choice with confidence.
What to Know Before You Choose
The short answer: the right colour and finish depends on three things – what you’d like, where the grave is, and what the burial ground permits.
A cemetery and a churchyard are not the same. Cemeteries are usually managed by a local authority or private operator and tend to allow a wider range of choices. Churchyards – typically those attached to Church of England churches – usually follow stricter guidelines and may restrict certain colours, finishes, and styles outright.
That’s why the first step is always to check the rules for the specific burial ground. A good memorial mason will do that on your behalf before anything is recommended or ordered.
Common Granite Colours: What Families Choose and Why
Black Granite
Black granite is one of the most requested colours, and it’s easy to see why. The contrast between the dark stone and the inscribed lettering is clean and sharp. It gives a formal, dignified appearance.
The difficulty is that many churchyards restrict it. Some dioceses consider black granite too dark or too reflective for a traditional churchyard setting. In cemeteries, it is usually fine. But it’s always worth checking before you fall in love with it.
Grey Granite
Grey is probably the most versatile choice, particularly for families whose loved one is buried in a churchyard. It sits quietly in most settings, reads as natural and restrained, and in a honed finish, looks calm without being plain.
It’s also the colour we see approved most consistently across different churchyards in Lincolnshire. That doesn’t mean it’s the only option, but it’s rarely a problem.
Red and Blue Granite
Both can be beautiful. Red granite has warmth and character. Blue granite – often a deep blue-grey – has a quality that some families find quietly striking.
They work well in cemeteries where the burial authority permits them. In churchyards, they’re less likely to be approved, particularly in stronger shades or with a high-gloss finish. As with all colours, it depends on the specific regulations in place.
Polished or Honed: What’s the Difference?
This is something families often ask us to explain, because the words get used without much context.
A polished finish is smooth, shiny, and reflective. When you look at it in the right light, you can almost see your reflection. It gives a clean, formal appearance and is common on modern cemetery memorials.
A honed finish is flatter and less reflective. It’s not rough – it’s still a quality stone – but it has a softer, more matt quality. Many people describe it as more natural-looking.
In a churchyard setting, a honed finish is more likely to meet regulations. Some churchyard guidance specifically discourages mirror-polished stones because they can look out of place in a traditional environment.
If you’re deciding between the two, think about the setting as much as the stone. A finish that looks modern and striking in a cemetery may feel jarring in a small rural churchyard. There’s no right or wrong answer, but context matters.
What’s Usually Allowed – and Where
In Cemeteries
Cemeteries generally offer more freedom. You’ll usually have a wider range of granite colours, finish options, and memorial styles to choose from. That said, each burial authority can still set limits – some have specific rules for lawn sections, or for newer areas of the site.
It’s always worth getting confirmation from the cemetery office before ordering.
In Churchyards
Churchyards tend to be stricter. Many follow guidance from their diocese, which may require memorials to use natural-looking stone, restrict very dark or brightly coloured granites, and discourage highly reflective finishes.
Kerb sets, certain decorative additions, and some non-standard shapes may also be restricted. If the grave is in a Church of England churchyard, the Consistory Court process (known as a faculty) may apply for certain types of memorial. Your memorial mason should be familiar with this.
Across Lincolnshire
In our experience working across Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, the most straightforward churchyard choices tend to be grey or dark grey granite with a honed finish. Cemetery memorials generally allow more latitude, but it does vary. We always check the specific rules for the burial ground before making recommendations.
Why Installation Standards Matter Too
Colour and finish are the visible decisions, but how the memorial is fixed matters just as much – for safety and for compliance.
All memorials installed by Lincolnshire Memorials are fixed to recognised standards. We are members of the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) and approved on the Register of Qualified Memorial Fixers. That means every installation is carried out safely, in line with current industry standards, and with the burial ground’s requirements taken into account.
A memorial that looks beautiful but isn’t properly fixed can become a safety risk over time. That’s a concern for the families who visit, and it’s one we take seriously.
How We Can Help
If you’re looking at colours and finishes and feeling unsure where to start, that’s completely normal. The rules can feel confusing, especially when you’re already dealing with something difficult.
We take the practical side of this off your hands – checking the regulations, explaining your options honestly, and making sure whatever you choose can actually be installed correctly.
If you’d like to talk it through, get in touch with the team at Lincolnshire Memorials. There’s no pressure, just clear guidance when you need it.
Call us on 01472 453700 or email info@lincolnshirememorials.com
Questions We Get Asked About Headstone Colours and Finishes
Can I have a black headstone in a churchyard?
Sometimes, but it depends on the churchyard’s regulations. Many Church of England churchyards restrict very dark or highly polished stones because they can look out of place in a traditional setting. It’s always worth checking before you commit to a colour. We check the rules for every burial ground before making a recommendation.
What is the difference between a polished and honed headstone finish?
A polished finish is smooth and shiny – it reflects light and has a formal, clean appearance. A honed finish is flatter and more matt, which tends to look softer and more natural. Honed finishes are generally better suited to churchyard settings, where guidance often favours a more restrained look.
Do I need permission before installing a headstone?
Yes, in almost all cases. Both churchyards and cemeteries have approval processes, and the rules can vary depending on the burial authority or diocese. In Church of England churchyards, certain memorials may require a faculty – a formal permission granted through the Consistory Court. Your memorial mason should handle this as part of the process.
Are there rules about headstone colours in cemeteries as well as churchyards?
Yes, though cemeteries are generally more flexible than churchyards. Most cemeteries allow a wider range of granite colours and finishes, but individual burial authorities can still set limits – particularly in specific sections of the site. It’s always worth confirming the rules with the cemetery office before ordering.
