When someone you love is buried in Zimbabwe and you live in the UK or South Africa, the distance can make a memorial feel out of reach. You may not be able to take leave, travel home and stand at the grave while a stone is chosen. The good news is that you do not have to. The tombstone is made in Zimbabwe, installed on the grave in Zimbabwe, and every decision in between can be made from your phone.
This guide explains how ordering from abroad works at Northern Granites, what to have ready, what the cemetery will require, and how long to allow. We have been making granite memorials in Bulawayo since 1999, and many of the families we work with live overseas.
Nothing is shipped: the stone is made where the grave is
People often ask us how a tombstone gets from Zimbabwe to the UK or South Africa. It does not. The stone stays in Zimbabwe. We shape, polish and engrave the granite in our workshop in Bulawayo, then deliver and install it at the cemetery. You never pay for international freight, and you never have to worry about a heavy stone being damaged in transit.
What travels is information: the details of the person being remembered, your wishes for the design, and your approval before anything is cut. That is why the process works well over WhatsApp, and why the UK and South Africa ordering pages both start with a simple message.
What to have ready before you ask for a quote
A few details make the first conversation faster and the quote more accurate. You do not need everything on day one, and we will help you fill the gaps.
Start with the full name of the person, their date of birth and date of death, and the inscription you would like, such as a short verse, a title like beloved father, or a line in Shona or Ndebele. Then tell us where the grave is: the cemetery, and the section or grave number if you have it. A photo of the grave as it is now is very useful, because it shows the size of the plot and whether there is an existing slab or border.
It also helps to know roughly what you have in mind. A simple upright headstone, a full slab covering the grave, or a larger family monument are very different projects. If you are not sure, say so. Our tombstone price guide shows the main styles with real price ranges, starting from $250, and the gallery shows finished work you can point to.
From first message to finished grave: the steps
1. Send your enquiry
Message us on WhatsApp or use the quote form. Include the details above and tell us which country you are writing from, so we can plan around your time zone.
2. Receive your quote and options
We reply with recommendations and pricing based on what you told us, including options at different price points if you want to compare. Prices are quoted in US dollars.
3. Approve the design before anything is made
This is the step families overseas care about most. You see the layout, the wording and the design details first, and nothing goes into production until you approve. Check every spelling and every date. It is far easier to correct a word on screen than on stone.
4. Sort out the cemetery permit
Most cemeteries require permission before a memorial goes up. Tell us the cemetery early so we can point you to the right process. More on this in the next section.
5. Production
Once the design is approved, we shape, polish and engrave the granite. Fabrication normally takes 5 to 10 working days.
6. Installation and updates
We arrange transport and installation at the cemetery, which typically takes 1 to 2 days. You get updates on WhatsApp through the project, so you are not left wondering what is happening on the other side of the world.
Permits and cemetery rules: check these early
This is the part most likely to cause delays, and it is easy to miss when you are far away. Each council sets its own rules, and they change.
In Bulawayo, for example, the city council requires a tombstone permit. The process involves contacting the cemetery supervisor with the deceased’s details, completing an application form, paying the fees and presenting the receipt on installation day. Some cemeteries also limit what can be installed: at Umvutsha and Athlone West only headstones are allowed, and headstones are generally limited to 1 metre in length. Installation is also restricted to certain hours on weekdays. We set all of this out in our Bulawayo cemeteries guide, and the council publishes general information on its burials and cemeteries page.
If the grave is in another city, the council there will have its own requirements. We work with families in Harare, Gweru and Victoria Falls as well, so mention the cemetery when you first get in touch.
How long should you allow?
Production is the short part, at 5 to 10 working days after you approve the design. The rest depends on how quickly the design is finalised, how long the permit takes, and when the cemetery allows installation. If there is a date that matters, such as an anniversary or a family gathering, tell us at the start and we will work backwards from it. As a rule, allow a few weeks from first message to installed stone rather than a few days, and more if you want the memorial in place for a specific event.
What it costs, and what affects the price
Size is the biggest factor. A single headstone costs far less than a full polished slab covering the whole grave. After that come the complexity of the design, the type of engraving, such as lettering only or an engraved portrait, the finish, and the number of names on the stone. Our price guide breaks this into tiers, from basic granite headstones from $250 up to family monuments from $3,000. Your quote will confirm the exact figure and how payment works before you commit to anything.
Involving family in Zimbabwe
If a relative lives near the cemetery, they can be a great help. They can confirm the grave location, take a photo of the plot, and be there on installation day. But it is not essential. Many of our overseas customers deal with us directly and never need anyone on the ground. If the family has a gathering planned, such as an unveiling, tell us the date and we will plan the installation around it.
Common questions
Can I really order a tombstone without visiting Zimbabwe?
Yes. Enquiries, design approval and updates all happen online or on WhatsApp. The stone is made and installed in Zimbabwe, so there is nothing for you to ship or collect.
Will I see the design before it is made?
Yes. You review the inscription, layout and design details and approve them before production begins.
How long does it take?
Fabrication takes 5 to 10 working days after design approval, and installation usually takes 1 to 2 days. The permit and the cemetery’s installation rules affect the total, so allow a few weeks overall.
Do I need to be in Zimbabwe for the permit?
Not necessarily, but the permit process is run by the council and the cemetery, so tell us the cemetery early and we will take you through what is required.
How much does a tombstone cost?
Basic granite headstones start from $250, and larger slabs and monuments cost more. See the price guide for the ranges, then request a quote for your exact design.
Start the conversation
You do not need every detail to begin. Send us the name, the cemetery and a rough idea of the kind of stone you want, and we will take it from there. You can reach us on WhatsApp, through the quote form, or by phone on +263 77 371 9090. You can also read more about our memorial services before you decide.
