Headstone error on grave.

[Andyvon]

My mother died six years ago and she has a black marble headstone with the engraved letters filled with gold paint. I lived in another part of the country when the headstone was placed after six months, but I did visit occasionally. However, I was quite traumatised at the time and I didn't notice that the date of my mother's death was wrong on thew stone by one digit. Now I have moved back to the area and I visit regularly I have noticed that the headstone reads '6' for June when she actually died in July so it should say '7'.

I have called in to the funeral directors and they found the original paperwork. They had got the date wrong by placing the 6 instead of the 7 but my step-father had signed to say it was OK'. Obviously, he was upset at the time and didn't notice. The original mistake was the funeral directors' but my step-father OK'd the error.

The funeral directors have quoted me 700 pounds to change the 6 to a 7 as the stone has to be reground for the one letter. Its only a small thing but it bugs me everytime I go to the grave and see the mistake. I can't really afford 700 pounds and I think it's a lot for that anyway. I thought of trying to alter it myself with a chisel but that would be silly. Is there anything I can do except put up with it?

[Whickerman]

Aftyer 6 years I'd be very surprised if you have any recourse through the courts, I'm sorry to say. I wouldn't try to change it yourself, stonemasonry is very skilled labour and you'll end up making it worse, and in the long run you'll end up forking out for a new stone.
Also, getting the stone reground to that depth could weaken it and shorten the lifespan of the headstone dramatically (depending on how thick it is to start with)
I'm really sorry, but I can't think of a way around this.

[yummymummy]

Legally, you only have rights regarding faulty/incorrect products for 6 years so as Whickerman says, you would struggle to get any recourse legally, especially as it was OK'd at the time and not brought up before now (obv understand not the main thing on your mind at the time though).

Would there be anyone else that could change it or redo it cheaper than the quote you have already got? Not something I've had any experience with practically

[divegirl]

Hi, just a thought, could you have a brass plate attatched over the error stating the correct date, I'm sure it could be done sympathetically to the original design and would be alot less exspensive than a new stone or stone mason's repair.

Lisa x

[Andyvon]

Thanks everyone - its much as I thought. I can't really blame the funeral directors and it was quite some time ago. A new stone would be even more expensive than repairing this one.
I like the idea of the engraved plate though Divegirl. I hadn't thought of that and I think I may well do that. It would settle me whenever I see the stone and it would put the right date on there for my Mum. Thankyou very much.

[divegirl]

Hi, really glad you like my idea. Hope it lets your mind rest a little easier.

Much love

Lisa x