RUSTIC & HAND CARVED HEADSTONES

Bespoke rustic & hand carved headstones

Cardiff, Cwmbran, South Wales & beyond

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Rustic & Hand Carved Headstones


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Rustic and hand carved headstones can offer you a truly unique way to remember and honour the life of a lost loved one.

Our dedicated team of highly skilled memorial masons can hand carve any bespoke rustic headstone or memorial design with intricate detailing and a quality finish.

We have a wide selection of pre-made rustic and hand carved headstone designs to choose from, but also craft custom-made headstones that truly stand out.

We would be honoured to play our part in enabling you to memorialise your loved one with a truly fitting rustic or hand carved headstone.

Request Our 58-Page Memorials Brochure

Mossfords headstones brochure

Choosing A Rustic or

Hand Carved Headstone

For those who are seeking to memorialise a loved one with a unique memorial created with true craftsmanship, a rustic or hand carved headstone could be the perfect answer.

Our skilled memorial masons can take any design or concept and hand carve a headstone into something that is both rustic and bespoke in appearance. A quality headstone that certainly stands out from the rest.

For over 200 years, we at Mossfords have served families across South Wales and beyond with memorial showrooms in Cardiff and Cwmbran, from where we offer our expertise and quality memorial services.

If you would like to learn more about our rustic or hand carved headstones, or would like to discuss a specific bespoke design in more detail, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.

A rustic hand carved headstone in a cemetery full of autumn leaves

Rustic & Hand Carved Headstone Materials & Colours

Our rustic and hand carved headstones are available in a variety of materials and finishes, with certain materials offered in an extensive range of colours and shades.

Rustic headstones can be crafted in any design using the vast majority of stone material options, including durable stone such as granite of which is available in a wide range of colours.

Meanwhile, hand carved headstones are typically crafted from softer stone materials, such as limestone and sandstone.

Each headstone material has its unique benefits – be it aesthetic appeal, ease of carving, or minimal maintenance that is required.

Please note that these material and colour examples should be used as a guide only.

The high quality materials that we use are naturally sourced materials, therefore we can expect each headstone to be unique with a colour, shade and pattern that slightly differs to the next.

 

Popular Rustic & Hand Carved Headstone Materials:

Granite

Black granite stone material for rustic and hand carved headstones

White Marble

White marble material for rustic and hand carved headstones

Sandstone

Sandstone material for rustic hand carved headstones

Limestone

Limestone material for rustic and hand carved headstones

Portland Stone

Portland Stone material for rustic and hand carved headstones

Nabresina Stone

Nabresina stone material for rustic hand carved headstones

York Stone

York stone material for rustic and hand carved headstones

Forest of Dean Stone

Forest of Dean stone material for rustic hand carved headstones

Welsh Slate

Honed Welsh slate material for rustic hand carved headstones

Popular Rustic & Hand Carved Headstone Colours:

We offer a wide range of colours and shades, although options will be dependent on the headstone material that is used.

Below you can view an indication of the various colours and shades that are available in our granite and natural stone materials.

Black

Black granite stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Bahama Blue

Bahama blue stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Pink

Pink granite stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Yellow (York Stone)

Yellow york stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Light Grey

Light grey stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Blue Pearl

Blue pearl stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Emerald Pearl

Emerald pearl stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

White

White sandstone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Dark Grey

Dark grey stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Ruby Red

Ruby red granite stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Fir Green

Fir green stone material for rustic hand carved headstones

White Marble

White marble stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Avon Grey

Avon grey heart headstone material

Balmoral Red

Balmoral red granite stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Imperial Green

Imperial green stone material for rustic hand carved headstones

Star Galaxy

Star galaxy stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Twilight Red

Twilight red stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Ocean Green

Ocean green stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Brown

Brown granite stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Teak

Teak stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones

Tropical Green

Tropical green stone colour for rustic hand carved headstones
Mossfords Memorial Masons logo

We’re Here To Compassionately Discuss Your Headstone Requirements

Book an appointment to learn more about our headstones and other memorials by contacting us today.

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Fine Craft Etching For Headstones

Add character, personality and something truly unique and special to any bespoke rustic or hand carved headstone with a detailed fine craft etching of any image or photograph.

Fine craft etching of an angel on a granite headstone

Why Choose Us For Your Headstone?

1. Established memorial masons since 1821

2. Unrivalled craftsmanship & ability to create bespoke gravestones

3. Over 200 years industry experience

4. Our 30 years memorial guarantee

5. Our Price Promise

6. BRAMM accredited

7. Vast selection of materials, colours & styles

8. Our Aftercare Services – Memorial Maintenance, Insurance etc.

9. Home Visit or Collection Service available

Rustic & Hand Carved Headstone Installation Services

Once your rustic or hand carved headstone is designed and crafted by our team of memorial stonemasons, the next step is to have the headstone professionally installed onto the grave.

With extensive knowledge of cemeteries in Cardiff, Cwmbran, and surrounding areas of South Wales, we’re well positioned to offer expert advice and guidance with regards to which types of gravestone are suitable for certain cemeteries and churchyards across the South Wales region.

Our professional headstone installation service allows you to relax in the knowledge that your memorial of choice is carefully installed to the highest possible standard.

Mossfords Memorial Masons headstone installation service in Cardiff & Cwmbran

Home Visit or Collection Service

We understand that it may be difficult for some customers to attend our memorial showroom, so to help address this we offer our Home Visit Service and our Collection Service.

These services help ensure all customers have the opportunity to browse our vast gravestone options while discussing all details with one of our expert advisors.

Learn More About Our Memorial Services

We also offer a wide range of memorial services, from memorial installation and insurance through to memorial maintenance and restoration.

Read Our Latest Articles

West Cardiff Showroom

Mossfords memorial showroom in Cardiff

473 – 475 Cowbridge Road West
Cardiff
CF5 5TF

Tel: 0800 093 83 77
Email: info@mossfords.com

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri 9am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 12 pm via appointment only
Sun: Closed

Central Cardiff Showroom

Old image of mossfords memorial showroom in Cardiff

Fairoak Road, Cathays
Cardiff
CF24 4YA

Tel: 029 2023 2011
Email: cathays@mossfords.com

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm
Sat: via appointment only
Sun: Closed

Cwmbran Showroom

Mossfords memorial showroom in Cwmbran

24 Victoria Street
Old Cwmbran
NP44 3JS

Tel: 01633 549 310
Email: cwmbran@mossfords.com

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm
Sat: via appointment only
Sun: Closed

Rustic & Hand Carved Headstones FAQs

How Do I Choose A Rustic or Hand Carved Headstone?

With so many rustic and hand carved headstone designs, styles and variations available, not to mention the vast range of stone materials, colours and shades to choose from, it’s no surprise that many customers come to us for guidance and advice when it comes to selecting the perfect headstone to memorialise a loved one.

Many of our customers find that requesting to download our brochure is a great place to start as this provides several rustic and hand carved headstone styles, materials, and examples to help narrow down your memorial search. Many customers approach us with a specific headstone idea in mind. This could be an idea you have formed in your head or a picture of a rustic or other hand carved headstone design that you have seen in a cemetery or somewhere online. This is perfectly fine, so rest assured our expert headstone design team and skilled memorial stonemasons can hand craft just about any bespoke design or idea you can think of.

Browsing rustic and hand carved headstones at your local cemetery and online, or simply booking an appointment to speak through your options in detail with one of our advisors and to view them in person will greatly help you come to a suitable decision when considering headstone options to help honour and remember the lives of those you love.

What Should I Look For When Choosing A Memorial Stonemason?

When searching for a reputable memorial stonemason company there are many things to consider.

The first thing you need to ensure is that the masons are capable of crafting hand carved memorials and can craft the headstone into the shape and design that you are seeking.
Some headstone suppliers may only offer machine cut headstones or may not have the experience and craftsmanship to meet your memorial needs.

Research their monumental stonemasonry experience, accreditations, craftsmanship and hand carving abilities, quality of product, and knowledge of the specific cemetery you are purchasing a headstone for. It is also incredibly important to ensure that you feel both confident and comfortable on a personal level while working with your stonemasons to design and create your memorial.

Furthermore, you will be expected to pay a deposit when you place your order, meaning it’s vital that you have complete confidence in the memorial stonemasons ability to complete the memorial in your local memorial ground and remain in business so that you don’t end up in the unfortunate position of losing your deposit.

Choosing to go direct to an experienced and well established memorial mason rather than through an agent (such as a funeral director or other middle provider) will also allow you to communicate directly with the masons who are carving your memorial and may potentially help you avoid any additional costs that may have otherwise been involved, such as commissions or extra charges a “middle-party” may apply.

Ultimately, you will benefit from peace of mind by choosing a long established memorial stonemason with a good reputation.

Can You Help Me Choose A Rustic or Hand Carved Headstone?

We can certainly go through your options in great detail to help you reach a decision on which rustic or hand carved headstone you should choose. We can highlight the benefits of different soft stones that are more suited to hand carving, show you a variety of rustic headstone styles and designs that meet your requirements, and discuss the range of detailing options that are available for each particular headstone.

What Is The Best Material For A Hand Carved Headstone?

The best material to use when crafting a hand carved headstone is a soft stone. Most hand carved headstones are crafted using limestone or sandstone as these stones are much softer and far easier to carve than harder stones such as granite. Which stone material you should choose will come down to the type of colour, tone, and texture that best suits your taste. The location the headstone is to be installed in should also be taken into consideration as softer stones are more prone to deteriorating faster in certain environments. That isn’t to say that certain stone materials should be immediately ruled out based on where it’ll be installed (such as underneath a tree where the memorial may be prone to falling leaves & debris during certain seasons), but that you may want to take into account the upkeep of the memorial – there are memorial aftercare services available you may want to consider to ensure the headstone is kept in the best condition possible throughout the year.  

Alternatively, we are able to offer a wide variety of rustic-inspired headstone designs that can be crafted from the more durable granite stone. 

At Mossfords, we offer all of the popular headstone materials that you’d expect from any memorial stonemason.

Are Rustic & Hand Carved Headstones Available In Different Colours?

Hand carved headstones that are crafted from a softer stone, such as limestone, sandstone or slate will only be available in the natural colour of those materials – as the headstones are crafted from naturally sourced stone materials, each headstone may differ slightly from the next with its unique tone, texture and patterns.

We do offer an endless range of headstones with a rustic design that can be crafted from granite, and we can create a bespoke rustic design for you if required. As granite is available in many different colours and shades, it is possible for your granite rustic-inspired headstone to be crafted in any available colour of your choice.

A coloured rustic headstone allows one to honour their lost loved one in a way they see most fitting. Perhaps in a favourite colour, or because they want something that isn’t as sombre as the typical black or grey headstones.

Cemeteries and churchyards have different rules and regulations with regards to what they allow within their graveyards, so it’s always worth checking what their stance is with headstones of different colours and materials to ensure your rustic headstone choice won’t be rejected by them.

How Long Should I Wait Before Getting A Rustic or Hand Carved Headstone?

Choosing a headstone for a loved one can be a very difficult and emotional process, so we would always advise that you take as long as necessary to come to your decision so that you can be sure you’re honouring and remembering their life in the most fitting way. There really is no right or wrong answer – you should take as long as you require.

From a technical standpoint, most cemeteries request that you wait at least 6-12 months before erecting a headstone so that the ground has time to settle following a burial.

Read: Learn More About Grave Settling

Timescales differ between cemeteries and also tend to differ between memorial type – for example, a cemetery may request a wait of 6-12 months before a headstone can be installed and erected, while they may allow a cremation memorial to be installed immediately.

If you’re unsure, our qualified and highly experienced staff can advise and guide you through this process.

Other than that, there is no set time that you should wait before placing a headstone on a grave – it is all down to you and when you feel ready. People often find it is a good idea to not rush the process, as time can help you better decide on the rustic or hand carved headstone design itself as well as the inscription.

Can I Choose A Rustic Headstone Design That Isn’t In Your Brochure?

In the vast majority of cases the answer is yes. Our memorial stonemasons are very experienced and highly skilled, so we are able to meet bespoke requirements and recreate or hand carve any headstone design. Simply provide us with an image and/or an idea of what you are looking for, and we will do our very best to help. Many people choose a rustic or hand carved headstone as they want the memorial to be truly unique and different from others, so this is something we fully understand and would be more than happy to discuss with you. Alternatively, you may want us to replicate a rustic or hand carved headstone design that you saw elsewhere and really liked and this is something we can also easily accommodate.

How Long Does It Take For A Rustic or Hand Carved Headstone To Be Made?

The design and creation of any headstone, be it hand carved or machine cut, and the engraving of its inscription is a highly skilled process. This means we can expect it to take some time before any rustic or hand carved headstone is complete following the order – certainly several weeks, and perhaps months. The timeframe will also depend on the current demand and accessibility of the stone material you choose, so for a more accurate answer you will be best served asking for an up-to-date estimated lead time at the time of order.

Can I Add Something To An Existing Rustic or Hand Carved Headstone?

Yes, you can certainly add something to any existing rustic or hand carved headstone. This could be a special design or etching, or an additional inscription or change of font. Whatever it may be, we can discuss your requirements and confirm what headstone amendments can be carried out dependant on your particular memorial and the stone it has been crafted from.

What Is The Average Cost Of A Rustic or Hand Carved Headstone?

The truth is, there really is no accurate average cost of a headstone, regardless of whether it is hand carved or specifically crafted into a rustic design. This is because each headstone is unique, and the cost will vary based on the material, size, headstone type and more rather than just labour involved. For an accurate quote, we would advise you contact a representative so that we can take the specific details you require beforehand.

One thing we can confirm upfront is our price promise – we are confident that our prices are the most competitive around and offer a discount should a customer find the same quality product elsewhere, so long as it’s supplied by a recognised and reputable memorial mason or funeral director.

Do You Offer A Guarantee?

Yes, all our headstones and other memorials come with an unbeatable 30-year guarantee.

Do You Hold Any Memorial Accreditation?

Yes, we are BRAMM (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons) approved, and a registered and fully licensed memorial mason with over 200 years industry experience having first established ourselves way back in 1821.

Can I See Proofs of The Rustic or Hand Carved Headstone First?

We can send you several proofs of what the rustic or hand carved headstone will look like before proceeding with the creation. If you don’t approve of the design, we can re-work the layout or style to meet your needs. We understand just how important it will be to craft the perfect headstone for you and your loved one, so rest assured we will work closely with you throughout the entire process.

Do You Ship Headstone Orders Overseas?

We can and have shipped headstones overseas many times, but you must be aware that there are of course additional costs incurred with overseas shipping, such as specialist packaging, insurance, and duty.