5 Things you need to know before buying a headstone online

New and impressive websites are popping up with prospective buyers totally unaware that some of these companies have little to no experiences to carry out the job. Often these new websites are high profile in attempt to get the best exposure. It’s really important to know that you are dealing with well trained and experienced staff that have a proven track record.

1. Check for workmanship experience
   
   One way to safe guard yourself against faulty workmanship is to ask about a company’s prior experience, look at company galleries, portfolios of completed works and especially look into their Google online-reviews.  These can provide a good indication of the service and quality of workmanship you can expect from Northland headstone companies..
   
   
2. Check the Cemetery bylaws and size regulations.  
   
   This is very important.  You don’t want to order a memorial and then find out that the cemetery regulations prevent you from installing it into the cemetery.
   
   
3. Check the sizes that are advertised in the wording. 
   
   Often the photo may appear to show a larger memorial than stated in the wording.  It can be difficult getting the perfect photo in size perspective so it is important you check this before buying.
   
   
4. Check that you have the correct legal authority to install the memorial. 
   
   Whangarei District Council requires that you be the exclusive right of interment holder, or executor of the estate or else be the next of kin and be the exclusive right of internment holder.  This is put in place to prevent family conflicts where two or more families try to place their memorials on the same plot.  
   
   
5. Check the wording, spelling, dates and layout thoroughly.
   
   I cannot express this enough.  We have rigorous routines in place to capture any errors but despite all our checks and sign offs after the stone is installed and unveiled someone picks up on a date error.    Get two or three family members to check the wording, spelling and dates to ensure that it is perfect before it is finally cut in.