Ask five things before you order: whether the mason is accredited (BRAMM or the Register of Qualified Memorial Fixers), whether they hold public liability insurance, whether the memorial will be fixed to BS 8415, who applies for the permit, and what the written quote and timescale include. No law requires a memorial mason to be licensed, so these checks are how you confirm competence. A good mason will answer calmly and in writing.
Key points
- No law requires a licence, so accreditation through BRAMM or the RQMF is the main check.
- Many councils only allow registered masons to work in their cemeteries.
- Ask to see the public liability insurance certificate.
- Fixing should follow BS 8415, with a sound foundation and tested ground anchors.
- Permits are always needed, and your mason should handle the paperwork.
- Ask what the deposit covers, what the quote includes, and what guarantee applies.
Families often ask us how to tell one memorial mason from another. It is a fair question when you are arranging a memorial for the first time.
Can they show their accreditation?
No law requires a memorial mason to hold a licence, so the industry runs voluntary registers instead. These are the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) and the Register of Qualified Memorial Fixers (RQMF). Many councils only allow registered masons to work in their cemeteries.
We are BRAMM accredited and on the RQMF. Both registers can be searched online, so you can check any mason for yourself.
Do they hold public liability insurance?
Public liability insurance covers injury or damage to other people or property during the work. Councils commonly ask for £3 million to £5 million of cover. Ask to see the certificate.
How will the memorial be fixed?
A headstone weighs far more than most people expect, so the fixing is critical. It should follow BS 8415, the British Standard for memorials, with a sound foundation and tested ground anchors. The National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) Code of Working Practice sets out safe fixing methods.
Ask what foundation will be used for your plot. Our guide to how ground conditions affect stability explains the reasons.
Who handles the permit?
Permission is always needed. In a council cemetery, the grave owner signs the application for a memorial permit. In a churchyard, the parish priest can approve designs within diocesan rules, and anything outside them needs a faculty, which is formal permission from the Diocesan Chancellor.
Ask your mason to check the rules for your plot and prepare the paperwork. We do this for families, and our guide to churchyard and cemetery memorial rules sets out the differences.
What should the quote and timescale cover?
Ask for a written quote listing the stone, size, finish, inscription allowance, fixing and permit fees. Our guide to comparing memorial quotes explains each part.
Ask what the deposit covers and whether the timescale runs from the deposit or from permit approval. Most burial grounds ask families to wait around six months after a burial before a headstone goes in.
“We were kept informed from the start to installation.” – Julie
What happens after installation?
The memorial belongs to the grave owner, who is responsible for its upkeep. Councils inspect memorials for safety, and a stone that fails may be staked or laid flat. Our guide to memorial safety inspections explains what to expect.
Ask who to call if the stone moves, and whether the work carries a written guarantee. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, work must be done with reasonable care and skill, but a guarantee shows exactly what is covered.
If you are comparing quotes or are unsure what to ask, we are happy to talk it through. Call us on 01472 453700 or email info@lincolnshirememorials.com.
Four Things Families Ask Before Choosing a Mason
Does a memorial mason have to be on a register?
No law requires it. However, many councils only allow BRAMM or RQMF registered masons to work in their cemeteries, so most families need one in practice. Your burial authority can confirm its own rule.
How can I check that a mason is registered?
Both registers can be searched online. BRAMM lists its members at bramm-uk.org, and the NAMM Register of Qualified Memorial Fixers is at nammregister.org.uk.
Is it sensible to get more than one quote?
Yes. Make sure each quote covers the same stone, size, inscription, fixing and permit fees so you are comparing like for like.
Do I have to go through a funeral director?
No. Many families come directly to us for new or existing memorials. We are happy to talk through the options at your own pace.
