A memorial that's exactly right, created with a family beside you every step.
Gentle guidance through every choice, at your own pace — in our Old Town showroom, or from your own home.
Nothing is made until you're completely happy with the design and the wording.
No obligation, and no rush.
“Quick to put my mind at rest.” Anne D, Google review
Memorials shaped around a life
Our brochure offers a small insight into an extensive range of designs, stones, shapes and finishes, most of which are fully interchangeable — and our stonemasons can create fully bespoke memorials in your preferred shape, colour and design.
Cemetery memorials
Polished granites in every colour and shape, from classic ogee to serpentine and heart designs.
The Foxton · The Croyde · The BarleyChurchyard memorials
Natural stones churchyards approve — hand-carved nabresina, yorkstone and honed granite.
The Eastfield · The Rissington · The AbdonCremation memorials
Tablets, books and vases for cremation plots and gardens of rest.
The Brightwater Vase · The Colwick · The AmbleChildren's memorials
Gentle designs, carved with particular care.
Hartley Bear · Best Friends · To the Moon and BackEvery memorial can be personalised — carved and etched designs from roses and doves to a fishing scene, and inscriptions hand cut, sandblasted or finished in gold leaf. The brochure displays many designs to inspire you, but please pop into the showroom and we can show you more.
Calm and confident it's exactly right
The right memorial does something quiet and important. It gives you somewhere to go. Somewhere that looks and feels like them: their name lettered with care, the stone they'd have chosen, perhaps a carving that meant something. Families tell us the moment it's finally in place brings a sense of peace, because they know it's exactly as it should be.
That confidence comes from the craft. Lettering hand cut or sandblasted, gold leaf applied by hand, carvings shaped to the person they remember — 70 years' combined experience, standing in cemeteries and churchyards across Hertfordshire.
Guided · In person · Kept informed · Exactly rightStep by step, at your pace
You set the pace. Most families come to us six to twelve months after the funeral, once the ground has settled, and there is no deadline. When you're ready, this is how it works:
Talk to us
Call, email, message us on Facebook, or drop into the shop on Old Town High Street. No appointment needed for a first chat.
A gentle conversation
In the showroom or from home, we listen, share ideas, and talk through shapes, stones, lettering and budget.
Take your time
We encourage you to go away, talk to family, and decide without any pressure from us.
We take care of the approvals
Once you approve the design, we liaise with the cemetery or churchyard and complete the paperwork they require.
Nothing is made until you're happy
We show you the full layout, fonts and wording proofs, and nothing is made until you're completely happy with the design and the wording.
Fitted with care
Your memorial is installed to health and safety regulations, and we let you know the moment it's complete. If you can't get to the cemetery, we'll send you a photo.
Churchyard and cemetery approvals take time, and timescales vary by parish and council. We'll give you a realistic timeline at your conversation and keep you informed at every stage.
Start with a gentle conversation.
114a High Street, Old Town Stevenage, Herts SG1 3DW · 01438 748 476
Choosing who to trust with a memorial
Most families compare a local stonemason with a large national company, an online retailer, or the mason their funeral director suggested. You're free to choose anyone. The differences that matter:
| Instone Memorials (Stevenage) | National / online companies | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you deal with | Janice and the family team, in person, throughout | Call centres or web forms; teams change |
| Seeing before you buy | Visit our Old Town shop, see stone and lettering samples | Photos on a screen |
| Local knowledge | We work with Hertfordshire cemeteries and churchyards every week and know their rules | Generic process applied everywhere |
| Cemetery paperwork | We liaise with the cemetery or churchyard and complete it for you | Varies; often left with you to chase |
| Design proofs | Nothing is made until you’re completely happy with design and wording | Templated previews |
| Being kept informed | Updates at every stage, from one local team | Long silent waits are a common complaint |
| Aftercare | Renovation, cleaning and added inscriptions, from the same local workshop | Rarely offered; separate suppliers |
A memorial is made once and visited for decades. It's worth choosing someone you can sit across a table from.
The families we've served
“It is a very important decision, choosing an appropriate headstone. Instone were very professional and very clear in their communication.”
Christine L, Google review“I was going through the worst time of my life when visiting Instone Memorials. They took care of me and showed empathy and kindness.”
Lynn T, Google review“At such a sad time they were all very helpful, understanding and friendly. Communication was great. Always replied promptly to my emails... Memorial was completed in the advised time scale.”
Steve, Google review“Instone staff gave excellent advice and communicated directly with the Church staff. Everything went very smoothly and with excellent results.”
F B, Google review“Extremely professional but also empathetic at what is a very emotional time. Communication was excellent which gives you every confidence in the service provided.”
Cris W, Google review“From day one our requests were dealt with a thoroughly professional and sympathetic manner. Communication throughout was excellent through the various stages... very happy with the results.”
Phil L, Google reviewThe questions families ask us
We're frightened of getting something so permanent wrong
That fear is the most natural thing in the world, and it’s exactly why our process exists. We guide every choice, show you full proofs, and nothing is made until you’re completely happy with the design and the wording.
“From start to finish an incredibly professional service… when I made an error they were quick to put my mind at rest and resolve the matter.” — Anne D, Google review
We don't want to be rushed or sold to while we're grieving
You won’t be. There’s no deadline, no follow-up pressure, and our shop is a calm place to talk things through at your own pace.
“How helpful the ladies are in here. I felt very much at ease with what can be a difficult time for some.” — Andrew B, Google review
It all feels overwhelming — where do we begin?
Begin with a conversation. We’ll explain the whole process in plain terms and take the complicated parts, including the cemetery paperwork, off your shoulders.
“They turned something stressful into a much easier process, keeping us updated. Kept to timescale.” — Darren H, Google review
Will we be kept informed, or left wondering for months?
Being kept informed is the thing our families praise most. We update you at every stage, from first design to the day the memorial is in place.
“Communication was excellent which gives you every confidence in the service provided.” — Cris W, Google review
How much does a headstone cost?
Memorials vary widely depending on stone, size and detail, so we’d rather talk it through than quote blind. At your conversation we’ll discuss your budget openly and find something beautiful within it. We’ll give you a clear, itemised quotation, and a conversation and quotation cost nothing — there’s no obligation.
How do we know the work will last?
We’re a family business with 70 years’ combined experience, and our work stands in cemeteries and churchyards across Hertfordshire. Families come back to us across decades.
“I used this company again this year after a twenty year gap. I am pleased to say the quality of the work and customer service is as good as it was years ago.” — Moyra C, Google review
What if we can't get to the shop?
Start by phone or email. We can handle the process from your home, and send you a photo of the finished memorial in place if you can’t get to the cemetery.
“Angela and team did a great job, all handled remotely too.” — Gavin J, Google review
Do you serve my area?
We’re based at 114a High Street, Old Town Stevenage, and serve Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Knebworth, Welwyn and the surrounding Hertfordshire towns and villages. We also offer limited North London coverage, including Mill Hill and Barnet.
When can a headstone be put up?
Usually once the ground has settled, often six to twelve months after the funeral, though it varies. There’s no rush, and we’ll advise on timing for your particular cemetery or churchyard.
Who deals with the cemetery or churchyard?
We do. We liaise with them directly and complete the paperwork they require.
How long does it take?
It varies with the design and the approval process for your cemetery or churchyard. We’ll give you an honest timescale at your conversation and keep you informed at every stage.
Can you add an inscription to an existing memorial?
Yes. Our stonemasons match the existing lettering so new inscriptions sit naturally alongside the old.
Can you restore or clean an older memorial?
Yes, we offer full renovation, cleaning and maintenance services across Hertfordshire, including grave tending.
Do we need an appointment?
No. You’re welcome to drop into the shop, call 01438 748476, or request the brochure and browse at home first.
On the High Street, in the heart of Old Town Stevenage
We're not a call centre or a catalogue. Our showroom has been part of the Old Town High Street for years — a calm place where you can see and touch the stones, look through lettering and finished designs, and meet the family who'll look after you. Drop in whenever suits you; no appointment needed.
114a High Street, Old Town Stevenage, Herts SG1 3DW
01438 748 476Serving Stevenage, Hertfordshire and North London
From our Old Town Stevenage workshop we design, craft and fit memorials in cemeteries and churchyards across Hertfordshire, and we know the local regulations that apply in each.
Stevenage · Hitchin · Letchworth · Baldock · Knebworth · Welwyn · and the surrounding towns and villages across Hertfordshire
Including Mill Hill and Barnet — please call to check we can reach your cemetery or churchyard.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call 01438 748 476 and we'll tell you straight away.
We're here
Call us, send the form, or request our free brochure and take your time with it. However you get in touch, you'll speak to a member of the family, and there will never be any pressure.
Request constulation01438 748 476114a High Street, Old Town Stevenage, Herts SG1 3DW
Send us a message
No obligation, and no rush. A conversation and quotation cost nothing.