Midland Monumental

For the memory of your loved ones - Memorials and Monuments – I am writing this review unsolicited as I think these services are not commonly spoken of or discussed; nor the process made aware to the general public as most would be undertaken by Funeral Directors or similar services. But for those who need or want to undertake such service of their own accord, I hope this resonates for you. My mother passed… Read more

away and was buried in Guildford Cemetery under the very simplistic Muslim burial process. This was in January 2021. The grave she lies in is quite humbling - simply a mound of a plot in the cemetery, with a wooden picket stake with indelible marker stating her name and dates. Akin to what you might see in old school westerns.

Before any judgement is made here as I proceed, I would like to point out that contrary to typical funerals, Islamic burial traditions and conventions have always been to deal with such a sombre event with the least fanfare, in the shortest possible time, with the least expenditure and financial outlay to those survived. It is not uncommon to have a Muslim person buried within 24-30 hours from time of death. Mom was buried five days after her death as she suffered advanced dementia and doctors had to be absolutely certain of the cause of death even though she was in hospital for the last 13 days.

The service: After a family decision was made to 'improve' and perhaps embellish mom's grave-mound, I researched for Muslim grave memorials and could find little about anything to do with it. I eventually sent out a few muslim-specific enquiries and credit to most of them, they responded in due time. I eventually settled with MIDLAND MONUMENTALS as they had a great range of stones, excellent pricing, and were familiar with inscriptions about Muslim memorials/monuments. Their response time were prompt, knowledgeable, and always addressed the queries I had.

From the onset, they were honest about supply, and their range that had been limited due to transport issues (Covid19) as well as the potential delays to do with acquiring the chosen granite slabs. Patient with our choices, amendments and financial constraints, their staff always showed respect and humility, always polite. When there were issues or delays, they would respond to queries with reasons in a prompt fashion. They were also clear and knowledgeable about the process, the required approvals and certifications from the Cemetery Board and helped with the submission of these documentation. All that is required from us was the Death Certificate, and the Metropolitan Cemetery Boards title for the plot (so they can be certain of where to install).

As and when the stones were imported, and then transported to their workshop, they would inform us, and finally, helped us with the inscriptions. Thankfully, we don't lose a family member everyday, nor bury a loved one often enough to be fully conversant of the types of wordings, fonts, and lay out of inscriptions on headstones. The staff at MIDLAND MONUMENTALS also helped with these, offering a range of wordings and typical engravings that would be put on them. They also do Arabic inscriptions which really helped put the difference on mom's headstone.

When the headstone inscriptions were completed, and the installation was to take place, they would inform us, and we would be assured of the progress of the memorial. From start to finish, it took about five months, with a 50% deposit paid up front to get things rolling, and the other 50% after installation is complete.

I would recommend MIDLAND MONUMENTALS to anyone who is charged to or wish to undertake their services as they provide an excellent service of assisting you with the installation of that ever-important grave memorial or monument for your departed loved ones. They are helpful, courteous, prompt and knowledgeable. They provide a great range at competitive prices, and alongside a professional manner, can accommodate almost your every whim. Specifically, I would like to thank Nisha at the Welshpool office for her constant assistance.