Which photos do you need for a cemetery lettering quote?
Send one clear photograph of the entire headstone and a close-up of the existing inscription and blank space. Include the cemetery name and town, the exact new text, and the section or lot number if you have it. Those details help us assess the work before a cemetery visit.
Start with the whole memorial
Step back far enough to show the top, sides, and base. A cropped close-up can hide the overall layout and leave us unsure where the new inscription belongs. If there is lettering on more than one face, photograph each relevant face and explain which side needs work.
Photograph the existing letters
Take a second photograph close enough to read the names and dates. Keep the camera roughly square to the surface. If glare or a shadow obscures the letters, try another angle or a different time of day. Send an additional picture if you cannot capture the text and blank area clearly in one frame.
You do not need to clean, chalk, trace, or alter the memorial to request a quote. Photograph it as it is. If you notice a crack, movement, or damage, include a picture and mention it.
Write the inscription as text, too
Type the spelling, dates, initials, and punctuation exactly as you want them. A photo of an older inscription is a reference for matching; it is not a substitute for confirming the new wording. If you are deciding between versions, label them as options rather than giving a final instruction.
Include the location and the request
- Cemetery name and town.
- Section, lot, or grave identifier if available.
- What should be added and where.
- Your contact details and any requested timing.
If you cannot visit the cemetery, send the information you already have and explain that photos are unavailable. We can discuss what is needed next; do not assume a site visit is included before it is confirmed.
Use our quote request page to prepare a message, then attach the photographs in your email app before sending. Learn more about adding a name to an existing stone.