Headstones & Plaques – Frequently asked Questions
How much time do you need to finish a memorial?
We do not outsource the sculpting work to places overseas so if the stone comes from New Zealand or is kept in stock we can finish our work in less than 4 weeks. Having more time always helps though, depending on the unveiling date you have planned. If the stone has to be ordered from overseas it can take up to 12 weeks for the delivery.
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Can I order a headstone / plaque from a remote place without seeing you at the workshop?
The fact that you do not have the possibility to come around in person is not a problem at all. We can communicate remotely and exchange the designs or ideas via internet / telephone. We have already done this many times before and got excellent results this way.
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Do you deliver nationwide?
Yes we do.
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Do you use pounamu as a media for headstones?
Since Pounamu is a symbol of life we try to avoid being contradictory in terms of using it on the cemetery.
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Why is there no price tag on customised designs?
We do not have a price list for our customised stones since they are very individual pieces to honour the specific personality of the person the headstone was for. New Zealand stone is not quarried in the same way as overseas stone so every item has a different shape and character. To make sure that you get the best value for your budget it is essential to let us know how much you want to spend on the stone.
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What are your payment conditions?
In most cases we suggest a 50% prepayment on order confirmation and a 50% payment before the stone gets installed. This is just a suggestion – we offer many more payment options such as layby or a personal lending service for headstone loans.
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What is the lifespan of the stone that you use?
The following list informs about the lifespan of the different stones. This is the time over which the sculpted parts of the stone will stay unchanged:
| Sandstone |
~100 years (this does not include the Oamaru stone with a lifespan of roughly 10 years)
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| Limestone |
~1000 years
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| Marble |
~800 years
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| Granite |
several million years
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| Basalt |
several million years
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What is the lifespan of the inscription?
The following list informs about the lifespan of the inscription styles available:
| Lead |
~60 years
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| Gold |
~20 years
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| Colour |
~10 years (lead based colours have been taken off the market because of health reasons)
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| Attached Bronze Lettering |
more than 100 years
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| Paua Inlays |
~10 years
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What is the lifespan of ceramic photos?
The image on a ceramic photo usually fades after around 100 years.
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Can I do the installation of the monument on my own?
Doing the installation on your own is not only a great way to contribute but also a way to save on travelling and transport costs. This only works if the headstone is going to be installed on a private cemetery. Council cemeteries require the assistance of a monumental mason for the installation. An installation of a headstone is a relatively easy task and we supply an information sheet that explains the single steps that are necessary to get to a proper result.
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2018 ATOS Hawkes Bay – Hastings, Napier, Waipukurau
