Cast bronze memorial plaques are a lasting and highly personalised way to commemorate your loved one. Available in a range of sizes, styles and finishes, they incorporate your chosen wording along with emblems or design elements that represent something meaningful for the family and for future generations.
Bronze plaques are most often placed at cremation memorials, lawn graves, mausoleum crypts, memorial seats, or in areas where cremated remains have been scattered. However, they can also be placed as memorials to provide a special place for families whose loved ones were buried elsewhere, or whose ashes were scattered elsewhere, to visit and reflect.
How to order a plaque
Plaques are usually arranged some time after the burial or the interment of cremated remains, once the family is ready to take the next steps.
You can order a plaque by making an appointment to sit down with us at one of our offices and decide on the message, design and features of your memorial plaque. At this appointment you will be able to view examples of different kinds of plaques, and also receive expert guidance on the design, colour, emblems, typescript and layout of your memorial.
At your appointment we will provide you a proof of the proposed plaque for your approval.
Contact us to make an appointment or enquire about arranging a plaque.
If you are making arrangements from interstate or overseas, we can guide you through this process over the phone and by email.
Please note: only the authorised holder of a right of interment can approve, make changes to, or remove a memorial plaque for a particular grave or memorial. If you are not the holder of the right of interment, we will need their authorisation to proceed.
Preparing for your appointment
1. Talk to family and friends
Before attending your appointment, talk to your family and friends about what kind of wording and design might best honour the life of your loved one. Not everyone will always agree, but starting these conversations can help you decide what you'd like to do.
2. Do some research
There is no greater archive of bronze memorial plaques than at your local cemetery. Visit a cemetery, particularly an area set aside for bronze memorial plaques, and have a look at the different styles and inscriptions available.
Some people like to record the name, date of birth, date of death, and a small dedication. Other like to include a meaningful quote, a cameo photo, or even the emblem of a football club. This is a very personal decision, and there are many options available.
3. Decide on your wording
Once you've talked to your family and friends and done some research, it can be a useful exercise to write down some draft wording. We're here to provide guidance, and we always check spelling and grammar for you, but it can be very rewarding to have something written down by the time of your appointment.
4. Ask questions
Please ask as many questions as you like at your appointment.
There are many, many options available for your bronze plaque and if you have something special in mind, it can't hurt to ask. Please be aware that the use of some emblems, for example Australian Defence Force emblems or trademarked logos, may require special permissions. Please note that glass plaques are not allowed in GMCT cemeteries due to health and safety concerns.
5. Provide a translation (if applicable)
If your chosen inscription is in a language other than English, please make sure you bring along an English translation to your appointment so we can make sure we get the wording just right.
Did you know?
Once you have placed a plaque on a grave or cremation memorial, the person who owns the plot is responsible for maintaining the plaque. If the headstone or monument is damaged, it may be covered by the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) under their cemetery trusts program.