Genuine Natural Slate – Made to Last Outdoors

Our memorial plaques are made from genuine natural slate, selected for its distinctive texture, natural character and suitability for outdoor display. The traditional riven surface and naturally varied edges mean that every plaque has its own individual appearance.

A Personalised Memorial for Someone Special

A personalised memorial provides a meaningful and lasting way to honour the life and memory of a loved one, creating a tribute that is personal to them.

Your plaque can be personalised with details such as:

• Name or names
• Dates of birth and passing
• Memorial messages and verses
• Poems, quotes and meaningful words
• Your own custom design or image
• Custom wording and layout requirements
• Photograph

Whether you are creating a memorial plaque, grave marker, cremation ashes marker, cemetery plaque or garden remembrance plaque, each one is individually personalised and made to order, allowing you to create a unique tribute rather than a mass-produced memorial.

A Personalised Memorial for a Loved One

Our personalised slate memorials provide a meaningful way to remember and honour a loved one, family member or someone special, creating a lasting tribute personalised with the names, dates and words that mean the most to you.

They can be used as grave markers, cemetery memorial plaques, cremation ashes markers, graveside plaques, garden memorials, remembrance plaques or memorials for a special place of reflection.

A personalised slate memorial can also provide a thoughtful and lasting bereavement, sympathy or remembrance gift, offering family and friends a beautiful way to commemorate the life and memory of someone they have lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my own photograph to the memorial plaque?

Yes. Your memorial can feature a photograph of your choice, allowing you to create a personal tribute using a favourite portrait, family photograph or other treasured image of your loved one.

How is the photograph produced?

Your chosen photograph is professionally prepared and printed onto UV-resistant film, then carefully sealed behind a durable acrylic lens. This protects the photograph while creating a high-quality colour photo memorial suitable for outdoor display.

Is the photograph suitable for outdoor use?

Yes. Our photo memorial system is specifically designed for outdoor use. The UV-resistant printed film is protected behind an acrylic lens, helping shield the photograph from everyday weather conditions and sunlight.

Is the wording printed or laser engraved?

The memorial wording is precision laser etched directly onto the natural slate. The process reveals the slate's natural light grey colour beneath the surface, creating a permanent finish that will not peel away like an applied vinyl or printed lettering finish.

The colour photograph is produced separately using UV-resistant film and protected behind its acrylic lens.

What can I have written on my memorial plaque?

Your plaque can be personalised with names, dates, relationships, remembrance messages, poems, verses, quotations or your own personal wording. You can also provide specific layout requests when ordering.

Can you design the layout for me?

Yes. You do not need to design the plaque yourself. If no specific layout request is provided, we will professionally arrange your photograph, wording and details to create a balanced memorial design that best suits the information supplied.

Can I use an old photograph?

Yes. Older photographs can often be used, provided the image supplied is of sufficient quality. For the best result, we recommend sending the clearest and highest-resolution version available rather than a compressed screenshot where possible.

Can the plaque be used on a grave?

Yes. These plaques are suitable for use as graveside memorial plaques and grave markers. Individual cemeteries, churchyards and burial grounds may have their own regulations regarding memorials, so we recommend checking with the relevant authority before installation.

Can it be used for cremation ashes?

Yes. A personalised photo memorial plaque can provide a beautiful way to mark a cremation plot, ashes burial site or other dedicated place of remembrance, subject to the requirements of the location where it will be installed.

Can I use the plaque in a memorial garden?

Yes. Natural slate photo memorial plaques are ideal for memorial gardens, remembrance areas, gravesides, gardens and other special places of reflection.

Can the memorial plaque be displayed indoors?

Yes. Although designed to be durable enough for outdoor display, the plaques can also be used indoors as a permanent remembrance plaque or tribute.

What is the memorial plaque made from?

Each plaque is crafted from genuine natural slate, with a traditional riven surface and naturally varied edges. As slate is a natural material, variations in texture, markings and edges are part of its character and mean that every plaque is individual.

What mounting options are available?

Depending on the product option selected, memorial plaques can be supplied with pre-drilled fixing holes and black screw caps, without holes, or with an optional oak memorial stake. Please check the available options on the individual product page when ordering.

Are the black screw caps included when I choose fixing holes?

Yes. Where the selected mounting option includes pre-drilled fixing holes, black screw caps are supplied to provide a neat finished appearance over the fixings.

Can I choose a plaque without mounting holes?

Yes. If you prefer to use your own mounting method or do not require visible holes, choose the no holes option where available.

Can I have the plaque supplied with an oak memorial stake?

Where offered on the individual listing, you can choose an oak memorial stake, creating a freestanding ground-mounted memorial suitable for positioning in appropriate soil, flower beds or memorial garden areas.

Are different sizes available?

Yes. Our personalised photo memorial plaques are available in various sizes, allowing you to choose a plaque appropriate for the amount of wording, photograph and intended memorial location. Please see the individual product options for the sizes available.

Will I receive a proof before the plaque is made?

If you select the proof option when ordering, we will prepare a design proof for you to review before your personalised memorial goes into production.

Where are the memorial plaques made?

Every personalised photo memorial plaque is professionally designed and produced in Britain by 1st 4 Signs, using genuine natural slate, professional laser technology and carefully selected materials.

Can I contact you if I need something different?

Yes. If you have a particular photograph, unusual wording, layout request or memorial design in mind, please contact us. As our memorial plaques are individually made to order, we can advise on what is possible before you place your order.