Mum’s tribute tablet

The rules apply to every supplier

Choosing an independent supplier does not bypass Greenlawn’s restrictions. Mum’s proposal is for a full burial grave: flat 12 × 12-inch or 24 × 12-inch tablets. The council lists these as 30 × 30 cm and 60 × 30 cm; ask it to accept the supplier’s exact manufactured dimensions, thickness and fixing method before ordering.

The full-grave guidance allows up to twelve 12 × 12 tablets, six 24 × 12 tablets, or a combination. That is the grave’s overall allowance, not a recommendation to order more than one.

An independent mason must submit the permit application, signed by the registered grave owner, and obtain approval before manufacture or installation. No external design shown here has been confirmed as approved for Mum’s grave.

The council’s own standard is black granite, silver enamel lettering and no border. That description alone does not establish that every alternative colour or engraved decorative line is prohibited; submit the exact proposal for approval. Physical surrounds around the grave are prohibited.

Council: full graves · Council: memorial rules · Council brochure, fees and order form

Why this comparison uses a £0 permit

Permit fee: £0 is based on Barbara’s confirmation for this family proposal. Eligibility depends on the grave purchase date and whether this is its first memorial, not the burial date alone. The supplier should record that status on the application.

The council’s published schedule lists a free first-memorial permit for graves sold since 31 March 2005, £609 for a first memorial on graves sold on or before that date, and £149 for a subsequent memorial. Its wording overlaps on 31 March 2005; the office should resolve a purchase on that exact date. These are background eligibility rules, not additional charges assumed for Mum.

A £0 council permit does not remove the need for an application or approval. Any separate supplier administration charge must be disclosed in the written quote.

Council personalisation and care

Both sizes include up to eight inscription lines: approximately 20 characters per line on 12 × 12, or 30 on 24 × 12. Agree spelling, dates and layout before payment.

Optional extra	Added cost
Standard emblem / motif	£45
Photo on the granite tablet	£134
Additional inscription line	£45 per line
Additional layout	£26
Bespoke emblem	Quote required
Regulation flower vase, installed	£23
Regulation flower trough, installed	£30

For example, a standard emblem makes the 12 × 12 total £474 or the 24 × 12 total £764, using the confirmed £0 permit. A photo instead makes those totals £563 or £853. These are calculations, not quotations for final designs.

Clean silver enamel lettering using a soft cloth and a little water, then dry. Avoid sprays, brushes and abrasive polish. The council gives up to three years’ lettering cover, subject to its maintenance guidance.

Supplier research and design references

Co-op: its published price list identifies SEW13 in black granite at 12 × 12 × 2 inches for £600. The stated inclusions are VAT, lettering within available space and fixing; cemetery permission fees are separate. We have not verified a published 24 × 12 price. Ask for that size, design extras, any administration charge and written guarantee terms.

Co-op product and photograph · SEW13 price: page 22 · Inclusions: page 17

Rowland: its site offers personal commissions and free quotations. We have not found a verified published price for a flat 12 × 12 or 24 × 12 tablet. Request both sizes, exact measurements, stone and lettering colour, fitting, VAT and the complete total. Its standard-design guidance gives around 12–16 weeks from signed order and deposit, with longer possible for bespoke work. Confirm timing and guarantee terms for the actual quote.

Rowland’s choosing-a-memorial guidance describes three-year work/material and levelling guarantees. Confirm the applicability to the proposed design and keep the written terms.

Rowland memorial services · Rowland guarantees and ordering guidance · Rowland commissions service photograph

The catalogue descriptions include 100 cut letters, fitting and VAT, while the separate shop banner says VAT is excluded. Do not carry either price or lettering allowance over to a resized design: obtain one written VAT-inclusive quotation. Separate shop listing and VAT wording

Ordering steps

1. Confirm the grave details. Have the grave number, purchase date and registered owner’s details ready. Record the full burial grave and £0 permit position.
2. Choose the size and supplier. Agree the inscription and any photograph or motif as a family. Request the exact dimensions, full price and layout proof.
3. Arrange permission. For the council, use its tablet order form (brochure page 2). For an external mason, have the grave owner sign the supplier’s permit application and secure council approval before manufacture or installation.
4. Approve the proof and payment. Check every name and date. For a council order, the brochure allows up to 12 weeks after layout approval and full payment; agree the fitting date with the office. Confirm an independent supplier’s own schedule.

Flowers and items at the grave

The existing guidance allows one regulation plastic trough or up to two regulation unbreakable flower containers, sunk to the rim in the permitted position. Vases are for flowers; a trough can hold flowers, plants or memorabilia. Confirm the exact placement with Greenlawn.

Troughs must be brown, dark grey, black or green, no more than 40 × 16 × 13 cm, with contents no more than 30 cm high overall. Flower containers must be black, green or silver and occupy no more than 15 × 15 cm each. Glass, loose memorabilia, food, drink, gravel, pebbles and fencing are not allowed.

Contact and sources

Croydon Bereavement Services: 020 8684 3877 · bereavement@croydon.gov.uk. Office: Monday–Friday, 9am–4.30pm, excluding public and bank holidays.

Council brochure, fees and order form — fees effective 1 April 2026–31 March 2027, including VAT where applicable. Council photograph: brochure page 3.

Published prices and sources checked 3 October 2026. Confirm the final design, complete written price and any extras before ordering. No supplier has been contacted or order placed through this page.