Step 1 – Place Your Order
Place your order with a $400 non-refundable deposit.

Step 2 – CAD Design & Layout
Our design team will prepare your CAD drawings and memorial layout based on your requirements.

Step 3 – Final Design Approval
Review the design carefully and sign the final layout to confirm all details before production.

Step 4 – Production Payment
Pay 90% of the total project value before production begins.
If you require a payment plan, please speak with our team. Flexible payment options are available.

Step 5 – Production & Cemetery Permit
Once payment has been received, we will:
Manufacture your memorial.
Apply for the required cemetery permit (where applicable).
Production and international shipping typically take a minimum of 2.5 months.

Step 6 – Final Quality Review
Before shipping, we will provide photographs of the completed memorial for your final review and approval.

Step 7 – Final Balance
Pay the remaining balance once your memorial has arrived in New Zealand.

Step 8 – Installation / Delivery / Collection
Choose the option that best suits your needs:
Professional installation
Nationwide shipping
Collection from our Auckland warehouse

## What Are Headstones Made Of?

Headstones can be made from a variety of materials, including **granite, marble, bronze, ceramic, and 316 marine-grade stainless steel**. The materials accepted depend on the cemetery's regulations, as each cemetery may have different requirements.

At Headstone Factory, we primarily use **granite** for our headstones because it is the most durable and weather-resistant material available. Granite does not rust, rot, or deteriorate over time and can maintain its natural beauty and polished finish for decades, even in New Zealand's changing climate.

Other materials, such as **marble**, offer a timeless and elegant appearance but require more maintenance and can gradually weather over time. **Bronze** is commonly used for memorial plaques, while **ceramic** is ideal for permanent full-colour memorial photos that will not fade. **316 marine-grade stainless steel** is another durable option, particularly in coastal environments where corrosion resistance is important.

If you're unsure which material is best for your memorial, our team is happy to recommend the most suitable option based on your preferred design, cemetery requirements, and budget.
 

Yes, we offer a variety of dialects including, but not limited to: Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Russian or any other Language required. Please be advised that this service will incur an additional cost.

Yes, we do offer layby for headstone purchases.

We don't have a strict payment schedule, so you're welcome to choose a payment plan that works best for you. However, at least 60% of the total amount must be paid before production begins, and the remaining balance must be paid before installation.

Yes. We offer free shipping to the Islands for headstone orders valued at NZ$5,500 or more.

Please note that you will still be responsible for the handling and customs clearance fees charged by the receiving agent at the destination port. These fees are typically NZ$300–$400, although the exact amount may vary depending on the regulations of the destination port.

Why Our Memorials Are More Affordable

Many families ask us why Headstone Factory is able to provide high-quality memorials at more affordable prices than many traditional suppliers.

The answer is simple:

**Our competitive pricing comes from our supply chain, not from lowering the quality of our products or services.**

Headstone Factory Limited is a New Zealand-registered company. Trade as "Headstone Factory". One of Auckland Council Prequal Registered Monumental Installers.

One of our shareholders comes from a family with generations of experience in the natural stone industry and owns a 15000sqm stone manufacturing factory in China. This allows us to source premium granite directly from the factory while maintaining strict quality standards throughout the production process.

Our Auckland team is responsible for every stage of the project in New Zealand, including:

• Consultation & Customer service
• memorial design, CAD layout, 3D Model, Layout
• Cemetery permit applications (where required)
• Final installation throughout New Zealand
• Engraving standard headstone
• Add a new inscription on the site in the Cemetery
• Shipping nationwide in New Zealand and all Pacific islands
• Project management

By combining efficient overseas manufacturing with professional local service, we are able to:

• Offer factory-direct pricing
• Eliminate unnecessary middlemen
• Use premium-quality natural granite and Marble
• Provide a wide range of customised memorial designs
• Maintain consistent quality standards
• Deliver professional local support from consultation through installation

We believe transparency is important. We believe every family deserves to know where and how their memorial is made.

• Standard Memorials (where the selected stone is in stock) are engraved and finished locally in our Auckland workshop for faster turnaround and convenient future inscriptions.

• Custom Memorials are manufactured at our associated stone factory in China and shipped to New Zealand by sea before being professionally installed by our Auckland team.

Our associated factory specialises exclusively in natural stone memorials. Its experienced craftsmen produce a high volume of memorials each year, enabling exceptional workmanship in deep sandblasting, precision lettering and intricate carving. We believe every family deserves clear information before making an important decision.

**Affordable pricing should never be confused with lower quality.**

Our advantage comes from an efficient supply chain, experienced project management, and our commitment to delivering beautiful memorials with honesty, professionalism and respect.

Our mission has always remained the same:

**To help New Zealand families create lasting memorials with outstanding quality, transparent service and affordable pricing.**

We can understand it is a big cost for your family. Therefore, most people only deposit $400 to start the order and choose to raise funds after Step 3. Because you and your families can see the full design paper and you know what you purchased, it may be much easier to communicate.  You can take your time and control the next process. Once the payment reaches our required (90%), we will cut the stone, engrave words, and then ship from overseas (around 2.5 months).

The installation of a leveling pad (if required) starts at $250 per plot. It is required when there is more than 50mm of slope or fall over the concrete berm. 

A new concrete foundation needs to be poured on soil (no existing concrete beam), the cost starts from $1000 per plot.

Removal of the existing headstone (if required) starts from $400. The headstone will be disposed of 1 month after being removed if not collected.

The timeframe for a standard headstone is 3 - 4 weeks from when the draft layout is signed until the headstone is ready for installation. However, custom memorial headstones will take longer to produce—up to 10 weeks and sometimes slightly longer, so please keep this in mind when planning your unveiling.

HEADSTONE FACTORY LIMITED is one best stonemansons in New Zealand. They import two regular containers from overseas every month. It is easy to provide affordable headstones by reducing the supply chain cost. 

All our work is carried out by NZS 4242:2018 (New Zealand Standard for Memorial Structures) and the standards set by the New Zealand Master Monumental Masons Association (NZMMMA).

We guarantee all granite memorials we manufacture against structural defects for 10 years from the date of installation. Should any previously undetectable defect arise during this period, we will replace the monument with one of similar size, quality, and workmanship at no additional cost. This guarantee applies solely to the granite headstone and excludes concrete bases, accessories, the painted inscriptions, refurbishment work, and any third-party installations or modifications.

This guarantee is in addition to your legal rights under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

This warranty does not cover:
1. Damage caused by external forces, including vandalism, theft, accidental impact (e.g. vehicles, machinery), or acts of nature such as earthquakes, floods, or severe storms.
2. Changes resulting from natural weathering, including discolouration, moss or lichen growth, erosion, and minor surface variations that occur over time.
3. Damage due to soil movement, subsidence or poor site drainage, unless the foundation and installation were carried out by us and proven to be faulty.
4. Third-party installations, repairs, or modifications not carried out or approved by us.
5. Concrete foundations, accessories, and decorative items such as vases or external ornaments.
6. Neglect, improper cleaning, or use of abrasive or corrosive chemicals on the memorial.

The Client acknowledges that marble and granite are natural stone materials with different characteristics.

Marble Headstones
Marble is a softer and more porous natural stone than granite and requires regular maintenance to preserve its appearance. The Client acknowledges that:

1. Marble may naturally darken, yellow, stain, or weather over time when exposed to outdoor conditions.
2. Marble inherently contains small pits, pores, veins, and natural variations. Where necessary, these may be filled and smoothed using industry-standard stone adhesive.
3. Natural weathering, colour changes, veining, pitting, and other inherent characteristics of marble are not considered defects.

Granite Headstones
Granite is a harder, denser, and more durable natural stone that generally requires less maintenance and is more resistant to weathering, staining, and colour change. However, granite may also contain natural variations in colour, grain, pattern, and mineral composition, which are inherent characteristics of the stone and not defects.

HEADSTONE FACTORY shall not be responsible for any natural characteristics, variations, weathering, or behaviours inherent in either marble or granite.

Yes. We provide additional inscription services for existing headstones throughout New Zealand.

To minimise the risk of damage, all lettering is engraved on-site at the cemetery whenever possible. This eliminates the need to remove and transport the headstone to a workshop, making the process safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective.

Our experienced monumental masons carefully match the existing font, layout, and engraving style as closely as possible. However, because the original inscription may have weathered over time and different engraving equipment or techniques may have been used, an exact match in colour, depth, and finish cannot always be guaranteed.

If you would like to add a name, date, or inscription to an existing memorial, simply contact us with a photo of the headstone and the cemetery location. We'll be happy to provide a quote and guide you through the process.

Absolutely. We welcome custom designs and can create a completely personalised headstone to honour your loved one.

You can provide your own ideas, sketches, photos, or inspiration, and our experienced design team will turn them into a professional CAD design for your review. You can customise almost every aspect of the memorial, including:

• Shape and size
• Granite colour
• Wording and inscriptions
• Fonts and lettering styles
• Ceramic photos or portraits
• Religious symbols, carvings, and artwork
• Vases, statues, and other decorative features

Before production begins, you'll receive a detailed CAD proof to review. We will only start manufacturing after you have approved and signed the final design, ensuring every detail is exactly as you want it.

If you're not sure where to start, we're also happy to provide design ideas and recommendations based on your budget, cemetery requirements, and personal preferences.

Yes. We can arrange the required cemetery permit on your behalf for most cemeteries in New Zealand, helping to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

Our team is familiar with the requirements of many local cemeteries and will prepare and submit the necessary documentation for approval. We also ensure that your headstone design complies with the cemetery's regulations, including size, material, and installation requirements.

If your cemetery requires the family to complete or sign any forms, we'll guide you through the process and let you know exactly what is needed.

Our goal is to take care of the paperwork so you can focus on remembering your loved one with confidence.

Yes. We provide professional headstone installation services throughout New Zealand, including both the North Island and the South Island.

Our experienced installation team works with many local cemeteries and follows each cemetery's regulations and installation requirements to ensure every memorial is installed safely and professionally.

If you're located outside Auckland, we can arrange installation in your area or organise nationwide delivery if you have your own installer.

Simply let us know the cemetery location, and we'll be happy to provide a quotation and explain the installation process.

Families across New Zealand choose Headstone Factory because we combine quality craftsmanship, transparent pricing, and personalised service to create lasting memorials.

Factory-Direct Pricing
As a direct manufacturer, we eliminate unnecessary middlemen, helping families save 20–30% compared with traditional retailers.

Deeper, Longer-Lasting Engraving
We use deep sandblasted engraving, creating crisp, durable lettering that remains clear and legible for many years.

Fast Turnaround
Our streamlined production process allows us to complete most memorials in as little as 2.5 months, including manufacturing and international shipping.

Transparent Communication
You'll receive proactive email updates throughout every stage of your project, so you'll always know exactly how your memorial is progressing.

Fully Custom-Made Memorials
Every memorial is made to order. We can customise the shape, size, granite, marble, bronze, ceramic portraits, statues, carvings, and inscriptions to create a truly unique tribute.

Personalised Designs
Whether you have a complete design or just an idea, our team will prepare professional CAD drawings and work closely with you to create a memorial that reflects your loved one's life and legacy.

At Headstone Factory, our goal is simple: quality memorials, lasting tributes, and complete peace of mind.