Choosing a monument is one of the most meaningful decisions a family will make when honouring someone they love. A memorial is more than a marker. It becomes a place to return to, a space for reflection and a symbol of a life that mattered. Families visit Melbourne monuments and memorials to share stories, pray, tidy flowers or simply sit quietly. Over time, the memorial becomes part of the family’s history, helping generations stay connected.
At Advanced Stone, we understand how personal this journey is. Since 1983, we have supported families across Victoria with thoughtful guidance and carefully crafted memorials. Our approach combines traditional stonecraft with modern precision, allowing us to create monuments and memorials that feel sincere, respectful and long-lasting. Whether your family prefers something simple or a detailed memorial that reflects cultural heritage, we are here to help you choose a design that feels right and brings comfort for years to come.
What Monuments and Memorials Mean to Families
A memorial has a special role in family life. It offers a sense of permanence, helping people process grief and celebrate memories. For many families, the memorial also becomes a place to uphold cultural or spiritual traditions. This may include lighting candles, saying prayers or offering flowers during important dates and anniversaries.
People sometimes use the terms headstone, monument and plaque interchangeably, yet each one plays a different role.
A headstone is the upright stone placed at the head of the grave. A monument is a more complete structure that may include a base, kerbs, a cover slab or additional design elements. A plaque is a low-profile stone that carries engraved details. Each option offers its own style, cost and level of detail, giving families the freedom to choose what best suits their needs and preferences.
Monuments and memorials also differ across cultures. Families may choose designs that reflect their heritage, such as Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai or Cambodian traditions. Others may prefer classic shapes with religious or personal symbols. What matters most is that the memorial feels true to your loved one and brings comfort to those who visit.
Types of Monuments and Memorials
Advanced Stone creates a wide range of memorial styles to suit different cemetery guidelines, family traditions and personal preferences. Every piece is crafted from high-quality granite, a durable stone chosen for its strength and long-lasting beauty.
Upright headstones
The upright headstone is one of the most traditional and familiar memorial styles. Families appreciate its clear presence and the space it offers for inscriptions, portraits and symbols. Headstones come in many shapes, from classic rounded tops to more modern or artistic silhouettes. They can be simple and elegant, or deeply personalised with carvings or cultural motifs.
Upright headstones are a thoughtful choice for families wanting something visually prominent yet adaptable to any cemetery setting.
Full monuments
A full monument includes several components: the headstone, base, kerbs and sometimes a cover slab. This structure gives families room for more detailed carving work, symbolic elements, family inscriptions and dedicated spaces for offerings. Full monuments are chosen when families want to honour a loved one with a more substantial design, or when multi-generational remembrance is important.
These memorials offer flexibility for cultural expression and can incorporate many traditional shapes or symbols, depending on the family’s wishes.
Lawn cemetery memorials
Some cemeteries have lawn sections where upright monuments are not permitted. In these areas, granite plaques are the standard choice. These plaques can be set flush with the ground or raised slightly on a small base. They allow for personalised inscriptions, portraits and carved artwork while keeping a neat, uniform appearance across the lawn.
Lawn memorials are often chosen for their simplicity and affordability, yet they still offer lasting dignity.
Children’s memorials
Children’s memorials require special sensitivity. Families often choose softer shapes, gentle symbols and caring inscriptions that reflect love, hope and cherished memory. Our designs for children focus on warmth and tenderness, offering a peaceful place for families to visit.
Granite plaques
Granite plaques are used in many settings, including grave sites, memorial gardens, walls, cremation niches and children’s areas. They are compact yet highly customisable. Families can choose from etched portraits, ceramic photos, decorative borders, bilingual inscriptions and a range of granite colours.
Granite plaques are a respectful option for families wanting a smaller memorial without compromising on beauty or durability.
Cultural memorial designs
Advanced Stone works closely with families from many cultural backgrounds. Each tradition brings unique symbolism, preferred shapes and meaningful design elements. Examples include pagoda-style forms for Asian memorials, lotus carvings, cranes, temple-inspired curves, Chinese calligraphy, Japanese minimalism, Vietnamese lotus borders, Filipino Christian carvings and much more.
Families seeking culturally specific guidance are encouraged to visit our page on
How We Work With Asian Memorials, where we explain our supportive approach to bilingual inscriptions, cultural symbols and traditional layouts.
Choosing the Right Stone
Granite is the preferred stone for modern memorials because it holds its strength and appearance for generations. Unlike softer stones that can fade or erode, granite withstands weather, temperature changes and the test of time. It supports deep carving, intricate artwork and clear lettering.
Granite colours
Granite comes in a wide range of colours, allowing families to choose a tone that feels right. Black granite is elegant and provides strong contrast for inscriptions. Grey granite offers a soft, peaceful appearance. Red and brown granites add warmth and character. Some families choose a colour that reflects personal taste, while others select a colour common within their cultural traditions.
Finishes
The finish of the stone influences its look and feel. A polished finish gives a glossy, reflective surface that highlights detail. A honed finish is matte and understated, ideal for families who prefer simplicity. Natural edges can add texture and a handcrafted look.
The choice of stone and finish helps set the emotional tone of the memorial.
Personalising a Memorial
A memorial becomes truly meaningful when it reflects the person being honoured. Families can personalise their monument in many ways, from inscriptions and portraits to symbolic carvings and accessories.
Inscriptions
The inscription is often the most heartfelt part of a memorial. It may include the person’s name, dates, a short message or a verse that captures their spirit. Many families also choose bilingual inscriptions to reflect cultural heritage. Clear, thoughtful layout ensures the wording remains readable and balanced.
For more detail on inscription styles, families may wish to visit our
Inscriptions page.
Portraits
Portraits help create a sense of presence and connection. Families can choose ceramic portraits, which display colour and warmth, or etched portraits, which offer a softer, artistic look in grayscale. Portraits can be framed with decorative borders or placed alongside the inscription for a harmonious layout.
Symbolic carvings
Symbolism adds depth and personal meaning. This may include flowers, religious symbols, cultural motifs, natural elements or emblems that represent hobbies or values. Carvings can be delicate and subtle or more prominent, depending on the family’s preference.
Accessories
Accessories can enhance both appearance and practicality. Options include granite vases, lanterns, photo frames, incense holders and flower containers. These elements help families personalise the space and maintain it easily during visits.
The Crafting Process at Advanced Stone
Creating a memorial is a collaborative process grounded in care, precision and respect. At Advanced Stone, we guide families through each step with clarity and sensitivity.
Consultation
The journey begins with a conversation. We learn about your loved one, your preferences and any cultural or religious considerations. This helps us recommend appropriate shapes, inscriptions and stone choices.
Design
We prepare draft layouts showing inscription placement, symbols, portraits and overall proportions. Families can review and adjust these designs until everything feels right. This stage ensures clarity and confidence before the memorial is crafted.
Craftsmanship
Our stonemasons use a combination of traditional carving techniques and modern technology. Sandblasting creates crisp lettering and symbols. Etching allows for fine detail in portraits and patterns. Every part of the process is handled with care to ensure a strong, long-lasting result.
Installation
We coordinate with the cemetery and install the memorial securely. Families can visit knowing the structure is stable and designed to endure.
Families wanting to understand our process in more detail can visit
How We Work With Asian Memorials, which reflects our broader approach to cultural care and design clarity.
Caring for Your Monument or Memorial
Granite requires minimal maintenance, but a few simple steps help keep the memorial looking its best. Gentle cleaning with water, occasional wiping to remove dust or pollen and avoiding harsh chemicals will preserve the stone’s appearance. Over many years, lettering may benefit from re-gilding or repainting, and our team offers restoration services to support families with long-term care.
Why Families Choose Advanced Stone
Families choose Advanced Stone because we blend skill, compassion and experience into every memorial we create. Since 1983, we have been trusted across Victoria for our thoughtful guidance, strong craftsmanship and respectful approach to all cultural and personal needs.
We listen carefully, explain options clearly and support families at every step. Our memorials reflect both technical precision and heartfelt storytelling. Whether a family prefers a simple plaque or a detailed full monument, our goal is always the same: to create a tribute that feels meaningful, dignified and true to the person being remembered.
FAQ
What is the difference between a headstone and a full monument?
A headstone is the upright stone at the head of the grave. A full monument includes the headstone, base, kerbs and sometimes a cover slab.
Can additional names be added later?
Yes. We can add inscriptions to most existing memorials or create extension plaques if more space is needed.
Do cemeteries have design rules?
Most cemeteries have guidelines on size, height and materials. We help families navigate these rules easily.
How long does it take to create a memorial?
Timeframes vary based on design, cemetery approvals and custom features. We provide clear estimates during the planning stage.
Get in touch with us and chat about your specific needs.