Industry Association Concerned About Headstone Scam

Members of the NZ Master Monumental Masons Association were concerned to hear of grieving families being let down by a non-reputable memorial headstone supplier in the Waikato/Central North Island districts recently.

Allegedly the supplier had taken deposits but failed to provide promised headstones to the families, causing more distress during very difficult times. The headstones that had been supplied were to a poor standard with non-industry signwriting tape which had already come off. Various social posts showed that families had advised the Police and were actively seeking recompense. The supplier was not a NZMMMA member.

NZMMMA President, Kim Stops said it emphasised the importance of dealing with a qualified monumental mason. “It’s so sad to see that these families have been stripped of commemorating their loved ones in the appropriate way.

To add further stress to a grieving family is not what our industry stands for. The intention is always to support the whānau to honour their loved ones, which our members have been doing in a caring and thoughtful way for many decades.”

The Association was formed in 1945, with some founding member companies still operating today. There is a strong network within the membership with on-going training to keep members up-to-date on required standards. New members go through an approval process to vet their quality and experience before they are approved. The Association is also developing an app which will document the installation process ensuring piece of mind for both the customer and councils. In addition, there is a piece-of-mind guarantee to the customer that all Association members will install the headstone to the current NZ Standards. These were updated after the Christchurch earthquakes with a mandatory requirement that suitable length dowels are used to install the headstone.

Headstones have certainly evolved during the Association’s tenure. Whilst more modern practices such as natural burials and scattering of ashes had grown, Mr Stops says there is still strong demand for the traditional headstone in a cemetery. “Many still wish to honour their whānau in the traditional way – whether that be a small plaque, granite headstone or more elaborate temple – to many of us, visiting a dedicated memorial is a significant part of the grieving process.”

There also is an increasing demand for damaged historic headstones to be restored. This is a specialist skill carried out with care and expertise by NZMMMA members throughout the country. Mr Stops said treating both old and new headstones with respect was an important role honoured by their monumental masons.

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