Memorial Mason Workshop

Bereaved families, often introduced by funeral directors, plus churches, councils and cemetery managers for repairs and additions.

A price per memorial covering stone, design, lettering and fixing, with extra for added inscriptions, carvings, kerbs and vases. Repeat income comes from adding names later and from recommendations.

• Stone cutting, lettering or carving (or willingness to train)
• Drawing and design layout
• Patience and sensitivity with grieving families
• Accurate spelling and checking of details

• Cemeteries and churchyards set their own rules on size, materials and who can install, so check each one before quoting
• Many cemeteries expect installers to be registered with an accredited scheme and to hold insurance, so check what your local ones ask for
• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you hire
• Stone dust is a health risk, so check HSE guidance on dust control and protective equipment
• Heavy lifting and fixing need safe equipment and training, and manual handling injuries are a real risk
• Spelling mistakes or wrong dates are costly and upsetting, so use a written sign-off from the family before cutting
• Check planning and business use rules for your workshop with the council and landlord

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £12,000 to £60,000, depending on your workshop, stone-cutting and lifting equipment, and whether you buy in blanks or carve by hand. Allow for insurance and any training too.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many memorials you complete, your referrals from funeral directors and the work you take on. The estimates assume at least 30 hours a week.

Check each cemetery's or churchyard's rules on size, materials and installers, and whether they expect registration with an accredited scheme and insurance. Also check public liability cover, HSE guidance on stone dust, and workshop planning rules.