We are pleased to be able to offer a large variation of coffin and ashes plate designs ‘in house’, at Viners funeral home in West Malling.
Using a state of the art Gravograph engraving machine combined with associated and comprehensive software, we are able to cut a large variation of standard coffin, casket and ashes plates, including temporary grave marker plates.
The plates we predominantly use have a brass finish and are engraved in black lettering, but a silver and ‘wood effect’ finish are also available.
The design can comprise of simple lettering and inscriptions of your choice in a variety of fonts, including the name and ‘date at rest’ or other terms of endearment. They can also combine a multitude of motifs and emblems alongside.
The motifs can range from the commonly used borders, corners, crosses (both Catholic & Church of England), to flowers and doves.
There are many other motifs and emblems that can be added for the more personal touch should your loved one have had a particular hobby, interest or occupation that they were passionate about, including various sports.
Other religious symbols are also available to cater for the many religions, including the Hindu Om and the Jewish Star of David.
There are such a large and varied number of symbols available, that we have even designed exit, access, information and hazard plates for use at our own funeral home in West Malling!
For your interest, coffin plates date back to the 17th century and were generally reserved for use by wealthy people. The higher the status of the person, the more expensive the metal and elaborate the design was.
By the mid-19th century and the rise of the industrial revolution, the cost of the plates decreased and so most people could afford to have them on their loved ones coffin.
Please do enquire when making the funeral arrangement should you require a particular design engraved onto the coffin plate.
For the first time in 70 years, Queen Elizabeth 11 will not be bringing us a message of hope and good cheer on Christmas Day. That has been a tradition for many and I for one will miss it, and her. I’m sure King Charles will eloquently continue the custom, but somehow it just won’t be the same.
As a funeral director, it's important to be aware of the challenges that people who have lost a loved one may face during the festive season. For many, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but for those who are grieving, it can be a difficult and painful time.
Words can fail us sometimes, when the magnitude of a situation is so sad like losing a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers from everyone at Viner & Sons are with the Royal family at this time, but also with anyone else who has lost someone close to them and is having to plan a funeral.