Business Details
Bespoke Memorials & Headstones in Kent
Established as a family-run business, Cleverley & Spencer have dedicated over three decades to crafting exceptional memorials and headstones across Kent and the Southeast. Our team, led by Ivor Spencer, combines traditional stonemasonry techniques with modern precision to create lasting tributes. Ivor's extensive training at prestigious institutions, including Canterbury Cathedral and City & Guilds of London Art School, ensures every memorial meets the highest standards of artistry and durability. We hold memberships with the National Association of Memorial Masons and the National Association of Master Letter Carvers, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Our services include hand-carved and machine-carved inscriptions, bespoke memorial design, and meticulous restoration work. We prioritise personal service, offering free consultations and home visits to guide clients through the design process in familiar surroundings.Our showrooms in Dover and Ashford provide inspiration through extensive examples of our craftsmanship. With advanced qualifications in health and safety compliance, including BRAMM and CITB certifications, we ensure every installation meets rigorous industry standards. Our team of skilled stonemasons, including directors James and Paul Spencer, delivers tailored solutions for churchyards, cemeteries, and crematoria. We specialise in working with marble, granite, and stone to create unique memorials that honour individual stories. Our dedication to quality extends to every detail, from selecting materials to the final sculpting of each letter. This combination of heritage skills, professional accreditation, and client-focused service has established us as trusted memorial specialists in the region.
Services
Headstones
Full Grave Memorials
Additional Inscriptions
Commemorative Plaques
Individually Designed Memorials
Cleaning & Restoration
Memorials in Marble
Stone & Granite
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in monumental stonemasonry
- Our team includes CITB-certified assessors and BRAMM-qualified fixers
- We offer both hand-carved and machine-carved inscriptions for personalized memorials
- We provide free, sympathetic advice and home visits for client convenience
- Our craftsmen trained at Canterbury Cathedral and City & Guilds of London Art School
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Memorial Masons
- National Association of Master Letter Carvers
- BRAMM (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons)
Services
Headstones
We create durable, personalized headstones using premium materials like granite, marble, and stone. Our skilled stonemasons combine traditional hand-carving techniques with modern machine carving to produce precise inscriptions. Each memorial undergoes rigorous quality checks to meet industry standards, ensuring lasting tributes that withstand weathering while maintaining aesthetic beauty.
Memorial Restoration
Our restoration service revitalizes weathered memorials through careful cleaning and repair techniques. We match original materials and carving styles to preserve historical accuracy while strengthening structural integrity. This service includes repointing masonry, removing biological growth, and applying protective treatments to extend the memorial's lifespan without compromising its original character.
Hand-Carved Inscriptions
Each letter is meticulously hand-drawn and sculpted using traditional hammer and chisel techniques. This method preserves the artistry of historic lettering styles while allowing complete customization. Our master letter carvers, trained at prestigious institutions, ensure every inscription maintains consistent proportions and depth for optimal legibility and visual impact.
Machine-Carved Inscriptions
Computer-guided machinery produces precise, consistent lettering for contemporary memorials. This technique allows replication of existing inscriptions or creation of modern designs while maintaining quality. Ideal for budget-conscious clients, this service offers multiple font options while retaining the durability and professional finish expected from our craftsmanship.
Commemorative Plaques
We design and install bronze and slate plaques for various commemorative purposes. These can be incorporated into existing memorials or installed separately in public spaces. Our plaques feature detailed engravings, including text and imagery, with options for both traditional and contemporary styling to suit individual remembrance needs.
People
Ivor Spencer
Director & Master Lettercarver
With over 40 years' experience, Ivor trained at Canterbury Cathedral and City & Guilds of London Art School. He is a CITB Assessor in Stonemasonry and holds advanced health and safety qualifications. He personally oversees all memorial designs.
James Spencer
Director
James directs operations with NAMM and BRAMM qualifications. He ensures all installations meet industry standards while maintaining the company's traditional craftsmanship values through his hands-on approach to memorial production.
Paul Spencer
Director & Safety Inspector
Paul oversees safety compliance and quality control. As a BRAMM-qualified fixer mason, he ensures all memorials meet current health and safety regulations while maintaining the company's artistic standards.
Alan
Workshop Foreman
Alan manages workshop operations with expertise in letter carving and stonemasonry. He implements traditional techniques in daily production while mentoring apprentices in the craft's heritage skills and modern applications.
Tim
Fixer Stonemason
Tim installs memorials with BRAMM qualifications. He applies advanced fixing techniques to ensure memorials meet current safety standards while preserving the artistic integrity of each hand-crafted design during installation.
Questions
What materials do you work with for memorials?
We work with granite, marble, slate, limestone, and stone. Each material offers different aesthetic and durability characteristics to suit various memorial requirements.
Do you offer memorial restoration services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive cleaning and restoration services for existing memorials, including repointing, biological growth removal, and protective treatments to extend their lifespan.
Can I customise my memorial design?
We create bespoke memorials tailored to individual preferences, offering complete design flexibility including custom lettering styles, decorative elements, and material combinations.
Do you provide consultations at home?
Yes, we offer free home visits Monday-Friday for memorial consultations, allowing clients to discuss design options in familiar surroundings at their convenience.
What areas do you serve?
We operate throughout Kent and the Southeast, providing memorial services for churchyards, cemeteries, and crematoria across the region.
Are your stonemasons qualified?
Our team holds industry-recognised qualifications including BRAMM certifications, CITB assessments, and NVQs in stonemasonry to ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship and safety.
