Headstones

Hello all
I'm organising a headstone for a departed family member. The rest of the family have agreed on the shape, type of marble etc. I approached a local company and described what we wanted. Given a price of 3500 euro for headstone, grave surround and base. To be honest, I don't really want to go shopping around for this but just want to know is the price reasonable. I have never had to organise this before and none of my close friends know anything about it. I realise that shape , type of marble varies, but I'm just looking for a ball park figure. Any info appreciated.

You probably wont get much cheaper, I paid a similiar amount, but on saying that I didn't shop around.

Headstones are beginning to be ordered from China now (Stonemasons send over design files and the finished product is shipped in).

There's plenty room to drive a better deal, it's hard to do that where a headstone is concerned, but sometimes thats what the stone mason relies on ....our reluctance to shop around for something so 'delicate' and sensitive.

Sounds Right, Paid that last year. Very pleased with the job. Just make sure they know what they are doing as regards installing drainage gradient. Some cowboys don't even bother with it - check out previous work in the cemetary after some wet weather - today would probably be good!! Nothing worse than a flooded grave during wet weather.

S.B.

Hi Just ordered headstone the other evening for our mothers grave. Total cost €5000 - he was very professional and talked through everything and we figured this price was the norm. Its a black granite headstone he said marble was becoming rarer? He said the stone comes from Africa? His price list had nothing less than 4000. Due to time constraints (1st anniv) and uneagerness to shop around we're going with it but are a bit surprised at the high cost.

Some practical info on headstones/gravestones but no prices unfortunately.

Thanks for the replies. just wanted to make sure that the price was fair.