Business Details
17 Years
experience
Bespoke Headstones and Memorials in Hollesley
Stonewriters was established in 2009 by Nigel and Sue Barker, combining decades of expertise in monumental masonry and lettering artistry. Our approach prioritises personalised service, moving away from high-pressure sales to offer calm, empathetic guidance during difficult times. We specialise in crafting bespoke headstones, memorials, and grave vases tailored to individual preferences and budgets. Our process encompasses design consultation, permit applications, and installation, ensuring compliance with churchyard and cemetery regulations. Operating across East Anglia, we serve Suffolk, Essex, and Hertfordshire with a commitment to quality craftsmanship. Nigel Barker brings professional memorial masonry qualifications and modern inscription techniques to every project. Sue Barker, a City & Guilds-trained lettering artist, applies traditional hand-carving skills to create enduring, meaningful tributes.We balance heritage methods with contemporary design possibilities, offering both pre-prepared options and fully custom memorials. Our workshop in Hollesley provides a dedicated space for client consultations and project development. With over 13 years of combined experience, we maintain rigorous attention to detail in every commission. Client satisfaction remains paramount, as evidenced by numerous testimonials praising our professionalism and artistry. Our transparent pricing structure accommodates various budgets while maintaining uncompromising quality standards. We manage all project phases directly, eliminating third-party costs and ensuring consistent service delivery.
Services
Bespoke Headstones
Memorial Renovations
Grave Vases
Tablet Memorials
Kerb Sets
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We offer 14+ years of specialist memorial masonry experience
- Our team includes formally qualified lettering artists and stonemasons
- We provide direct client service eliminating third-party costs
- We manage complete memorial projects from design to installation
- Our workshop enables hands-on design consultations and stone selection
What people say
Exceptional craftsmanship
Professional assistance
Beautifully done
Prompt service
Excellent attention to detail
Services
Bespoke Headstones
We create tailored headstones using traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques. Clients receive personalised design consultations to develop unique tributes that reflect individual preferences. Our memorials comply with all churchyard and cemetery regulations while maintaining aesthetic integrity.
Memorial Renovations
Our renovation service revitalises aged memorials through careful cleaning, structural repairs, and lettering restoration. We employ specialist techniques to preserve historical integrity while improving legibility and appearance. This service extends the lifespan of cherished tributes while maintaining their original character.
Grave Vases
We craft traditional stone grave vases with metal flower containers for fresh or artificial floral displays. Available in multiple designs, these durable fixtures enhance memorial sites while providing practical flower display solutions. Each piece matches the quality and craftsmanship of our other memorial products.
Lettering Services
Our qualified lettering artists create hand-carved and machine-cut inscriptions using traditional techniques. We offer extensive font selection and wording guidance to ensure meaningful, permanent tributes. Both modern and heritage lettering styles are available to suit individual preferences.
Kerb Sets
We design and install complete kerb memorial sets featuring headstones, side kerbs, and cover slabs. These comprehensive memorials create defined grave spaces with coordinated elements. Our kerb sets combine aesthetic appeal with structural durability for long-term preservation.
People
Nigel Barker
Director
Former business manager turned qualified memorial mason with expertise in modern inscription techniques. Specialises in raising memorial design standards while maintaining traditional craftsmanship values. Oversees all technical aspects of memorial production.
Sue Barker
Lettering Artist
City & Guilds trained lettering artist with 25+ years experience in hand-carved stone lettering. Specialises in traditional sign painting, calligraphy, and bespoke memorial design. Passionate about preserving historical lettering techniques in modern memorial production.
Questions
What memorial types do you create?
We specialise in bespoke headstones, grave vases, tablet memorials, kerb sets, and memorial renovations using granite, sandstone, and slate materials.
Do you operate outside Suffolk?
While based in Hollesley, we serve all East Anglia including Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire for memorial commissions and installations.
Can you restore old memorials?
Yes, our renovation service includes cleaning, structural repairs, and lettering restoration for existing memorials to improve appearance and longevity.
How does the memorial process work?
Our process includes design consultation, permit applications, stone selection, crafting, and professional installation, managed entirely by our team.
What stone options are available?
We offer sandstone, limestone, granite, and British slate with pricing from £2,000–£3,500 depending on material and memorial complexity.
How long does memorial creation take?
From design approval, typical timescales range 4-12 weeks depending on stone availability and project complexity, with urgent options available.
