Abbey Memorials Reviews 

48
TrustScore 3 out of 5

3.1

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Just had a phone call from a very rude man from this company. Extremely rude, couldn't get a word in edge ways. We wanted a flower vase with inscription but was told we couldn't have it and it would l... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Today I went to the cemetery and got to inspect the headstone which was installed last week by Abbey Memorials. Couldn’t be more pleased with it. The craftsmanship of the stone, installation a... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I can not praise this company enough, they are amazing, very professional, absolutely Lovely customer service my mums grave stone is so beautiful with fantastic workmanship I couldn’t be happier. The... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What a fantastic a quality memorial and installation. It does take a while to get the stone delivered and fitted but is well worth the wait! We also had my grandmas memorial relevelled after 10 ye... See more

Company replied

Company details

  1. Stonemason

Information provided by various external sources

Our expert masons, carvers and letter cutters are very experienced craftsmen. Our work is finished to a very high standard on our own premises at our factory in Rayleigh, Essex. Our fixers are BRAMM accredited. All of our material is of the highest quality – with granite imported from India and China and marble from Carrara, Italy. The gold leaf that we use for our lettering is 23.5 carat. All anchor bolts used are NAMM accredited. As well as providing our customers with new memorials we can also quote for additional inscriptions and repairs or renovations, as required. All material is guaranteed for 10 years and we will re-level memorials for the first two years after fixing, free of charge. We were commissioned by Southwark Council in London to provide a war memorial which is situated in their Camberwell New Cemetery. We have also supplied and erected a 20 ton war memorial which is situated outside Harrow council offices and was opened by the Duke of Gloucester


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3.1

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

48 reviews

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3.1

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(48)

3 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Worst customer service ever!!

It has been a constant battle with Abbey memorials! I requested an additional subscription and for the memorial to be put back after they had removed it proceeding the death of my mum. There was NO correspondence unless it was to request payment and my phone calls were ignored. They were so unhelpful and unprofessional and it took nearly 9 months for the memorial to be put back.

October 21, 2022
Unprompted review
Abbey Memorials logo

Reply from Abbey Memorials

Thank you for your comment Mrs Fiveash.

I have reviewed your order and I can comment as follows.

I can see that there was an initial 11 week delay in obtaining the necessary permit (ie from 25th March when we posted the permit application to yourself to the 10th June when we received the permit approval from the cemetery) as there first had to be a transfer of grave ownership - this was something we had no control over.

The completion of the manufacture of the additional inscription and obtaining a new photo plaque from Italy was then finalised 11 weeks later.

I would have wished for this to have been sooner but with staff holidays at that time productions levels dropped for a period

We then had to await the availability of the fixing team that uses a truck equipped with a crane so that the whole memorial could be craned back onto the grave - which took place on 18th October.

Had this been a standard Lawn Memorial which did not need a crane the memorial would have been returned more quickly by one of my other fixing teams

So from the date that the permit was approved (which was when we could actually commence the manufacturing process) to the date of re-installation the time taken was 18 weeks.

It would have been shorter but for staff holidays and the period of non-availability of the crane-based truck.

I apologise for the length of time it took and I apologise unreservedly that you had to keep chasing for updates.

Not all of the nearly 9 months time period that you refer to was down to ourselves - but what part of the timescale we were responsible for could have been shorter and we should have keep you more informed than we did - for which I apologise

Kind regards

Mark Steen
Managing Director

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful headstone

I would highly recommend Abbey Memorials. Stephen was very professional throughout the whole process and put me at ease during this difficult process. My husbands headstone was put up within 3 weeks and for that am grateful.

August 18, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Overall I am impressed with our…

Overall I am impressed with our experience with Abbey Memorials. Little bit skeptic at first with some of the negative reviews and ordering online but it all went pretty smoothly. We were being quoted double the price in local shops for the same quality/time scale so we thought why not do it online. From the first quote to fitting the headstone it was an 8month process, which may have been abit longer than expected but we were advised due to the current climate it could take a while. I didn’t have an issue with communication, all emails were followed up within reasonable time. The headstone for our Mum was fitted yesterday and we couldn’t be happier. It’s just what we wanted and looks so elegant and good quality. Would definitely recommend after our good experience.

August 10, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Useless

Useless, Used Turner Memorials for past family headstones and they were brilliant. This shower taken over and I have phoned approx 5 times and emailed and received NOTHING back... no contact whatsoever. Will use another mason to add lettering and suggest that you all do the same.

August 4, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic work and price - don't go anywhere else

I needed a headstone for my Aunt's grave and did quite a bit of research and read many reviews. In fact I almost went with another business until they required me to pay 100% up front.
TBH I was a little concerned before I committed to Abbey - there seemed to be quite a number of poor reviews which worried me.
However from the moment that I committed to them they could not have done anything better. Abbey Garwood was fantastic and I never felt that I had been overlooked or ignored - even though their supply of granite/stone was significantly delayed due to the pandemic etc. they kept me infirmaed of exacrtly what was happening. Each step of the process required me to confirm acceptance.
The headstone was fitted recently and I was sent a picture of it after it had been completed; I have also just been to look at it myself. Looks wonderful and a great tribute to my Aunt.
I cannot understand how there could be so many poor reviews as the company and people I dealt with could not have done anymore for me.
Thank you Abbey Memorials - amazing service and a very well-priced job.

July 26, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Abbey Memorials have recently completed…

Abbey Memorials have recently completed work on a tombstone for my Mother. Throughout the process at each step I was informed of the process I felt my wishes were listened to and the challenging process was made so much easier. Abbey Memorials arranged an installation date with the local cemetery and fitted beautiful high-quality tombstone. I would highly recommend Abbey Memorials.

May 21, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Negative Reviews

After using Abbey Memorials in 2004 for a new headstone for my parents and a renovation and reblacking of words on another headstone I was so impressed with the service that I decided to contact again during February 2022. I telephoned, spoke to Toni, followed up my enquiry with an email with full details, telephoned to check receipt of my email, Toni said not received, resent, Toni emailed to say she had found my email and would look into it that afternoon 22 Feb, still waiting for any response. They appear not to want your custom.
Have now contacted another local company (M & J Memorials) have received amazing service, quick, helpful, efficient service.
Can’t believe how the service of Abbey Memorials has changed but having now read some of the reviews, I can.
Terrible customer service.

March 4, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Uncommunicative

I found a headstone that was almost exactly what the family wanted from Abbey Memorials and I requested a quote via their online form in July 2021 but received no reply.
The elusive quote was chased up by phone over a month later for me to be told, rather abruptly, that they were busy and it will take as long as it takes. With the pandemic and lockdowns I waited and waited and waited but still no quote.
A few months had now passed so I followed up again and received an email from Ginny asking for confirmation of what I had requested; I replied within 24 hours with all the information that had already been supplied but have still yet to receive a quote.
I have since emailed again to query and received no response whatsoever!
The negative experience with Abbey Memorials nearly tarnished the stone we wanted. However I am pleased to say that I have contacted another stone masons who tracked down the supplier and provided an emailed quote WITHIN 48 HOURS so I am proceeding with them instead.

December 20, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Professional caring staff, very competitively priced with a superb finished product.

We ordered a headstone after losing our son very tragically. I had other Stonemasons quote me but Abbey Memorials was by far the most competitive. We were advised of the waiting time for the completion of the memorial before we signed the contract so we were prepared that it would take some time before the headstone would be put in place. After signing the contract, we changed the wording on the headstone several times and each time, within a day or two they would prepare the adjusted script for the headstone as well as adjust the quote. Everyone I spoke to was helpful, polite and professional and always returned my calls when they promised to. They also responded to any emails I sent within a short time.

Although we waited quite some time for my son's headstone to be laid, beyond the time quoted, the actual memorial exceeded our expectations. The quality of the red granite headstone is second to none. The gold engraved lettering is simply beautiful. We had my son's photo put on the headstone as well as The Arsenal cannon engraved also in gold, and the overall finished piece is perfect.

Buying our son a headstone was not something we ever expected to do, but all the staff at Abbey Memorials were kind, patient, compassionate and considerate as well as always helpful. My family would highly recommend Abbey Memorials and with them being so competitively priced as well as professional and helpful throughout the whole process with a superb finished product, I don't think there is anything to lose.

December 2, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Asked for online quote.

Stated on line if you have not heard in seven days to call this I did was told very busy would be given priority. Three weeks have now past still waiting.

October 26, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Difficult times for all

I was recommended by my sister to use Abby memorials for our dad and grandparents headstone.
The grave was complex in as much as the details for three people had to be correct, Mark And his staff could not have been more helpful in helping us achieve this final design and inscription. This was carried out during lockdown so one had to be patient as the company were suffering from delays from point of obtaining their materials, right through to the final fitting process and the staff to do it notwithstanding the huge increase in people needing memorials unexpectedly. But considering all those difficulties Abby memorials were always very professional and detailed, offering advice along the way to the point or final order. When I asked for updates they were quick to respond and most of any delays were completely out of their control. The company business ethic and approach to their work was excellent and faultless and given the present circumstances went over and above to help. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others. In these difficult times, one has to also realise that companies like Abby memorials,have had increased costs with materials, shipping, and transportation. But given all that, they still managed to offer good quality finishes which was so important to me to honour my family in the right way.

August 4, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Can't believe this company

Can't believe this company! Have been waiting 7 months for a repair quote to my mother's headstone. Sent numerous emails that weren't replied to. Spoke on phone was told Mason had seen headstone and quote would be sent in the post! Still nothing. I don't think they understand the word customer service. If they are short staffed or employing incompetent employee's they should address their problems. Probably show a little more sensitivity in a business dealing with sensitivity!

July 15, 2021
Unprompted review
Abbey Memorials logo

Reply from Abbey Memorials

Thank you for your feedback Mr McCann.

The lack of service that you have received is not acceptable. I can totally understand the 1 star review.

I apologise unreservedly for this lack of service.

Basically for a number of months we have been struggling to cope with an excess demand for our products and services.

My memorial sales team are not incompetent. In fact they have gone above and beyond my expectations in trying to keep up with this demand by working longer hours and at weekends but it has simply not been possible to meet everyone's demand.

In my view this excessive demand is likely to only be temporary (due to the substantial drop in memorial purchases during 2020's lockdown resulting in these delayed purchases now taking place) so your suggestion that we take on extra staff is not viable as this would initially lead to a reduced service (whilst a senior member of the sales staff trains that person up to the level of expertise needed) and when the demand then drops back to normal levels I would have an extra salary to pay for which would mean I would either have to increase my prices or dismiss that member of staff who is no longer needed.

In conclusion I am very sorry that you have not had the service that you deserve. I wish that you had enjoyed the service that my team have been providing to many more customers than I thought they were capable of handling during this extremely busy period. I will contact you directly regarding the repair estimate.

Kind regards

Mark Steen
Managing Director

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

They are absolutely fantastic I'm so…

They are absolutely fantastic I'm so grateful for everything they did for my mums headstone recently I went to see it for the 1st time in person on Tuesday and I cried my eyes out with tears of happiness. I will definitely be in contact to sort my nans out soon. Izzy hassan

June 3, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Just received a reply from Mark Steen…

Just received a reply from Mark Steen Managing Director, which has not really heard the customer at all. All the issues he describes, such as getting packs ready etc etc, do not account for no communication since January 2021 to May 2021 despite e-mails and x3 phone calls! It is simply human decency to communicate. If the only reply is not to have listened then nothing changes! Darren Ward.

May 18, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent company

I lost my mum last may and started getting quotes and ordering headstone early Toni, Abi ,Mark and Dan all provided and excellent service .The headstone was put up this week on time and I couldn't be more happy they have done an amazing job always answering emails quickly even during these tough times would highly recommend thanks again guys .

May 15, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Immaculate Craftsmanship

Great thanks to all the team of Abbey Memorials.
Difficult time losing a younger brother, (36years old), leaving behind 3 boys, fiancé and both our parents had to bury their son. So a tough time for the family.
Abbey Memorials gave us exactly what we wanted.
With some advice and help on designs along the way.
We got a bespoke design and the craftsmanship is worth every penny.
It did take some time to get it laid due to Covid issues etc.
Main thing is, it has been laid now and standing out from the rest.
Dan, Abi and Mark have been helpful through all this.
Worth every penny.
Will use again, lets just hope a few decades away yet....
Thank you again

April 11, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

USE A DIFFERENT FIRM

I have been trying for the best part of a year to organise my sons headstone through this company. I have been chasing for quotes weekly from them and have had nothing back. I have been constantly fobbed off by the managing director, chap called mark, who never comes back when he says he will. I am now going with a different company but do yourselves a favour and don’t bother with this company. This is a stressful enough process without adding this company to it.

February 19, 2021
Unprompted review
Abbey Memorials logo

Reply from Abbey Memorials

Dear Leah



Thank you for your Review which I have read with interest.



Under normal circumstances - and based solely on the content of your review - I would say a 1 star award would be a fair assessment.



However, these are not normal circumstances and you have made some comments which – if I do not respond - might lead anyone reading them to think that they are accurate. I do not agree that the 1 star award is merited as it takes no account of the work undertaken and the emails issued to you



In the interest of balance, therefore, I will now respond to your comments (in the same public way that you have made your complaint) to clarify/correct some of the points that you have made.



First of all you have said that you have been trying for the best part of a year to arrange this memorial through ourselves.



On the 5th November you emailed us to say:



“I spoke to one of your team a few weeks ago and she told me I would be able to customise some of the stones. with that in mind would you be able to provide me with a quote for the below:



stone (VW246) without the Cradle Design and the addition of a vase at the base of the plot (VASE 4)



stone (VW200) but made in granite and for a child size plot”



This suggests that maybe your conversation with one of my colleagues may have been, maybe, 3 to 6 weeks previously and your first written request was then made on 5th November – which is just over three months ago. That is not the best part of a year.



We did not respond to that email at that time because when you called on 20th November to ask what had happened to the two quotes I explained to you that I had not seen your email and that it was only after carrying out a search of our email server that your original email had been found – it had gone into the Junk Mail folder along with the hundreds of real junk mail that had been sent to us that week.



In my written response to you of 5th November my email explained how Covid 19 was affecting our service standards and response times. In fact every single one of my subsequent 8 emails that I issued to you since then has repeated this point. Having staff working remotely, or off sick with Covid 19 (or other ailments) or having to self-isolate due to being in contact with someone who had tested positive or being on away on leave or due to us being closed for the festive period has played havoc with our response times– especially as, ahead of our imminent price increase (the first in four years), we have been inundated with quotation requests.



The extra demand for quotations from ourselves may also be due to deaths from Covid 19 – I cannot say because unless we are told we never know the cause of death



At one point what you were asking us for added up to eight separate quotations and I had to spend time trying to get you to narrow down your choices. I also had to wait for the response of the cemetery office to find out what their limits were in terms of the type of memorial allowed and the maximum and minimum dimensions allowed. I also had to spend a fair amount of time explaining to you that the bespoke nature of your subsequent amended quotation requests meant that I needed you to further clarify your wishes.



In short I have spent a considerable amount of time on your enquiry and the only thing that prevented me from issuing the two quotations to you yesterday (as I had said I would) was due to an urgent issue that arose in connection with a customer’s existing order that took priority over issuing two new quotations for new business - something that an existing customer has a right to expect from us.



You have said that I never came back to you – this is not true. There were times when I was slow to respond - which I accept – but for the reasons given in every one of my emails to you. Starting work each day at 6am and working until the late evening hours and working at the weekends simply to try and satisfy everybody’s demands is currently not enough and it has meant that I was not able to respond as quickly as you (and I ) would have wished.



However, taking on additional sales staff is not a solution because at present I do not know whether this increase in demand for our memorials is just a temporary Covid-linked blip (where I may then have to lay them off after the demand goes back to the normal levels).



So, for now, we will continue to ask potential customers to continue to be patient if they want to have a high quality memorial supplied and installed at a highly competitive price. As the memorial is to be on the grave for decades maybe a delay of a few days or maybe even weeks at the quotation stage is less important than the quality of the resulting memorial and the price that we charge for it. I could double our prices, receive a lot fewer enquiries and then have extra time to give to each of those fewer customers. However, we would then not be able to help those families that are on limited budgets and I would need to make some staff redundant.



I am sorry that I was not able to meet your demands but I think that under the circumstances your comments could not be left without a response.

Yours Sincerely
Mark Steen
Managing Director
Abbey Memorials Ltd

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This company are absolutely fantastic…

This company are absolutely fantastic they have just made the whole process so much easier with their knowledge and kind words. We are so very pleased with the headstone for my mum and it was done so speedy with updates along the way so we knew what was happening and also the people on the phone have been very helpful. Definitely would recommend this company to anyone and the prices are so good too. Many thanks .

December 12, 2020
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I can not praise this company enough

I can not praise this company enough, they are amazing, very professional, absolutely Lovely customer service my mums grave stone is so beautiful with fantastic workmanship I couldn’t be happier. The team is so helpful and caring, they managed to lay the stone before my mums anniversary even Tho they were so busy due to covid. Thank you to the whole team especially Rob, Carla, Dan. They kept me updated all through the process. Highly recommend, will not be using any other company from now on. You won’t get these prices anywhere else!!
God bless you all

October 22, 2020
Unprompted review
Abbey Memorials logo

Reply from Abbey Memorials

many thanks for your feedback Karen - I have passed this on to the team who also appreciate you taking the time to comment as you have
kind regards

Mark Steen
Managing Director

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