Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on what your requirements are, and we are very happy to determine with you whether it is in the office or out on site.

No, but it is advisable so that we can allocate time and a specialist staff member for your needs. This also ensures that we give you the full required attention in case we are double booked.

The current burial process allows for solid ground to be left intact around the grave. This eliminates the need for any time delay. In the case where footings need extra support, we have piers dug and reinforced with extra steel to ensure the stability of the footing.

Absolutely. We have designed and constructed many custom memorials tailored to reflect the individual life, personality, interests, and wishes of our clients and their families. If you have a special idea in mind, we'd be happy to discuss how we can bring it to life.

We meet with our client to discuss memorial type, size, and material.

• A design is agreed upon. We send away to our stonemasons for quotes on the material required.
• A quote is then prepared for the client for the construction and installation of the memorial.
• The quote is accepted, revised, or rejected. Once a quote is accepted and a deposit paid, we order the stone and any ornaments.
• It takes approximately 16 weeks for stone to be delivered from our suppliers.
• It takes approximately 4 weeks from arrival for the memorial to be installed at the gravesite.

For a fee, clients can come and work with our monument designer to create custom designs. Once a quote has been accepted and a deposit paid, we start working on creating the memorial.

Yes. We can help you design and arrange your memorial in advance, allowing you to make your personal preferences known and providing peace of mind for you and your family.

All our monuments are constructed from natural products. All natural products do vary. This is generally reflected in colour variations and consistencies as the mining location changes.

Yes. Every cemetery has its own rules and regulations on the size, height, colour, style, and materials permitted for monuments.

These requirements vary depending on the cemetery and the specific section where the grave is located. Avalon Memorials are familiar with the regulations of local cemeteries and will guide you through the approval process to ensure your monument complies with all cemetery requirements.

This depends on the cemetery and the location of the plot. Some cemeteries allow up to four coffins/caskets and up to nine ashes interns. It is important that this is discussed with the cemetery prior to the purchase of the plot. It is also important to remember when planning your first intern to remind the cemetery of the number of interns that you have allowed for that plot.

Once your monument has arrived at our workshop, we generally aim to complete its construction and installation by the end of the following month, subject to weather conditions and cemetery approvals.

Cemeteries generally require monuments to be installed by an approved monumental mason to ensure they comply with safety standards and cemetery regulations. All cemeteries have a list of approved monumental masons.

Granite is a natural stone, and variations in colour can occur depending on when and where it was quarried. Some granite colours may also become unavailable over time, so an exact match cannot always be guaranteed.

There may be fees payable to ACT Cemeteries before a permit is issued. We recommend contacting ACT Cemeteries directly to confirm any applicable charges.

An inscription is the personalised wording engraved or carved into a headstone or memorial. It typically includes the person's name, dates, and a meaningful message or tribute chosen by the family.

Yes. Once a design has been approved and a deposit has been received, we will send our monument installers to sandblast and gild or paint on-site.

Yes. We take future interments into consideration when designing a Monument or Plaque and generally allow space for additional inscriptions where appropriate.

It generally takes eight weeks from your initial approval.

Once the wording has been approved, a template is created and applied to the headstone. The inscription is then precision sandblasted into the stone and can be finished with either gilding or paint, depending on your preference.

Gilding is the process of adding a thin layer of gold or silver leaf to the inscriptions, so that the words will be formed in gold or silver.

No. On black granite, inscriptions can be left unpainted, raw, creating a subtle and long- lasting appearance. This finish is only recommended for black stone.

Yes. We offer white, black or silver paint. If you would like a different colour, we need to see a colour swatch of the chosen shade.

We will always do our best to match the font, size, layout, and style of existing inscriptions. While an exact match cannot always be guaranteed, we aim to achieve the closest possible result.

Yes. Once a letter design and the wording have been determined, we have the letters cast and affix them to the headstone with screws. We can create new designs or replace older metal that has lost its lustre.

Avalon charges per character used, but spaces are not charged. A character is any form of alphanumerical punctuation, in any language. 90 characters is included as standard in most quotes.

Emblems, Insignia, pictures, Ceramic or Crystal photos can be incorporated into the monument.

We can provide a proof for your approval before the photo is ordered. Additional proof revisions may incur a small fee. Once the design has been approved, we order the ceramic or crystal photo and frame (if required).

For the best results, we recommend supplying photographs in high-resolution JPEG format, as the final image quality depends on the quality of the original photograph provided.

A standard 380 × 280 mm plaque generally accommodates up to 8 lines of text. Please note that as more lines are added, the lettering will need to be reduced in size.

Once we receive acceptance, payment and permit we place our order for the bronze plaque; and it generally takes eight weeks for the plaque to be cast.

Yes. In many cases, a plaque can be updated with an additional inscription. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

Carrara Marble

• Use only unscented household bleach.
• Apply the bleach for approximately 15 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Granite

• Clean using water and a soft cloth.
• If needed, use a small amount of non-phosphorus detergent.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals.

Bronze Plaques

• Clean and polish regularly using the same care you would for a motor vehicle to help maintain their appearance.

Yes. Weather conditions can affect installation, particularly during periods of heavy rain or wet ground, which can make it unsafe or impractical to carry out installation work. If weather causes a delay, we will keep you informed and reschedule as soon as conditions allow.

Avalon Memorials provides:

• A 2-year warranty against defects on stone supplied by the manufacturer.
• A lifetime workmanship warranty on all installation and workmanship carried out by Avalon Memorials.