It’s something many families don’t think about until the moment arrives. A loved one has died, and you plan to add their name to an existing family gravestone only to discover there’s no space left. 

Finding that a headstone is “full” can feel upsetting, especially when you had imagined everyone resting together. The good news is that you usually have options. One possibility is having the stone professionally ground down and re-inscribed. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

First Steps: Check Ownership and Regulations 

Before making any changes, confirm who holds the Exclusive Right of Burial (the grave deed). Only the grave owner can authorise alterations to a memorial. 

Next, check the cemetery’s regulations. Councils such as City of London Corporation and Glasgow City Council publish detailed memorial rules covering size, materials, lettering styles and whether alterations are permitted. 

In consecrated churchyards, you may also need approval from the local diocese. 

Option 1: Add an Inscription (If There’s Limited Space) 

Sometimes a skilled memorial mason can: 

• Adjust spacing 

• Use slightly smaller lettering 

• Engrave on the reverse of the headstone 

This is often the simplest solution if the stone still has some workable area. 

Option 2: Grinding Down and Re-Inscribing the Stone 

If there is no visible room left, families sometimes choose to have the face of the headstone ground down (or “honed back”) and fully re-inscribed. 

What Does This Involve? 

A memorial mason removes the stone and takes it to a workshop. Using specialist equipment, they carefully grind away a thin surface layer of stone — just enough to remove the existing inscription. The surface is then polished or honed smooth, ready for new lettering. 

The headstone is then completely re-designed and re-carved to include all names and dates, often in a fresh layout. 

When Is This Possible? 

This option works best when: 

• The headstone is made of granite (which responds well to re-polishing) 

• The stone is structurally sound 

• Cemetery regulations allow re-inscription 

Softer stones, such as some sandstones or marbles, may not be suitable if they are heavily weathered or fragile. 

Things to Consider 

• Permission is required from the grave owner and the cemetery authority. 

• The process removes the original carving. While the names can be re-inscribed, the original hand-cut lettering itself is permanently lost. 

• Design changes are possible. Families often take the opportunity to update wording, add a verse, or create a clearer layout for future generations. 

• For some families, the idea of erasing the original inscription feels uncomfortable. Others find comfort in creating a unified memorial that tells the full family story in one clean design. 

Costs 

Grinding down and re-inscribing is usually less expensive than purchasing an entirely new headstone, but costs vary depending on: 

• Stone size and material 

• Amount of lettering 

• Removal and re-fixing fees 

• Permit charges 

A memorial mason can provide a tailored quotation. 

Option 3: Replacing the Headstone 

If the stone is too thin to grind back safely, or regulations limit alterations, replacement may be the only option. The original stone is respectfully removed and a new one installed in line with cemetery rules. 

Some families choose to incorporate elements of the old stone into the new design where possible.  

Option 4: Adding a Plaque or Secondary Marker 

If altering the main headstone isn’t suitable, a small additional plaque or ground tablet may be allowed. Again, this depends entirely on cemetery regulations. 

Take Your Time 

Realising that a gravestone is full can feel like an unexpected hurdle at an already emotional time. But solutions do exist, from adding lettering to completely renewing the stone’s surface. 

Before deciding, speak to: 

• The cemetery office 

• The grave deed holder 

• An experienced memorial mason 

They can guide you through what is structurally possible and legally permitted. 

At The Farewell Guide, we encourage families to ask questions early and explore options calmly. Memorials naturally evolve over generations. Whether you choose to add, adapt, or renew a headstone, what matters most is that it continues to reflect love, remembrance and care. 

Even if the surface changes, the memory it represents does not.