Headstone and memorial workshop

Families arranging a memorial, plus funeral directors and cemetery trusts or councils who refer or commission work.

A price per memorial covering stone, design, lettering, foundation and installation, plus add-ons like bronze plaques, photo plaques and extra inscriptions.

• Stone cutting, lettering or carving (or willingness to train)
• Design and layout of inscriptions
• Patience and sensitivity with grieving families
• Accurate spelling and attention to detail

• Each cemetery has its own rules on memorial size, materials, foundations and approved installers, so check before quoting
• Stone dust (silica) is a serious health risk, so check your state's work health and safety rules on dust control and protective equipment
• Public liability and product liability insurance, as memorials must be fixed safely
• Heavy lifting and installing on site, so plan for lifting equipment and manual handling
• Spelling or design errors are costly and upsetting, so use a clear sign-off process with families
• Check council approval for the workshop premises and for noise and dust

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on your workshop, stone cutting and lettering equipment, and lifting gear for installing memorials on site.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on how many memorials you complete, the stone and design you offer, and your referrals from funeral directors and cemeteries. The estimate assumes about 30 or more hours a week.

Check each cemetery's rules on memorial size, materials, foundations and approved installers. Also check your state's work health and safety rules on silica dust, public and product liability insurance, manual handling, and council approval for your premises.