Auckland Memorials Master Masons

16/04/2026

Means so much when people take the time to send a thank you card.

13/04/2026

It’s been a pleasure to get to know Mr Wright while working on the memorial stone for his wife.
91 years old and going strong as ever.

A beautiful, artisan monolith in light grey granite with soft white lettering.
Namaste

28/03/2026

I’ve always had this feeling that being human isn’t the full story of what we are.

It’s hard to explain properly, but it feels like there’s something about us—our awareness, our sense of “I”—that doesn’t quite fit inside just a physical body. We live through the body, but it doesn’t feel like that’s all there is to us.

At the same time, being human comes with a lot of limits. We don’t remember where we came from, we don’t know why we’re here, and we’re stuck experiencing life from one point of view. On top of that, there’s pain, stress, illness, loss—things that aren’t rare, but built into life itself.

That combination makes me think that this might be a restricted version of something bigger. Not necessarily a literal prison with guards and walls—but more like a condition where our awareness is narrowed and we don’t have access to the full picture.

The suffering is what really stands out. It makes it hard to believe this place is designed purely for comfort or happiness. It feels more like a system with constraints, where things can go wrong and where we don’t have full control.

But at the same time, I don’t claim to know exactly what this is. I don’t think we can say for certain that it’s punishment, or a test, or something else entirely. If we really are limited in our understanding, then it makes sense that we wouldn’t be able to fully figure it out from inside.

So the way I see it is this:

It’s possible that human life is a limited state of existence, where our awareness is restricted and we don’t have access to the full truth of what we are.

And that feeling that something isn’t quite complete—that there’s more than this—might not be meaningless. It might be pointing at something real, even if we can’t fully explain it.

I’m not saying I have the answer. I just don’t think this is the whole picture.

AMH 2026

25/03/2026

An absolute pleasure to work on this heritage design for the Lee family, really great people.
Simple, unique, authentic, elegant.
They have really done her proud, she is obviously much loved indeed.

25/03/2026

A very beautiful memorial in Ruby Red granite, heritage old hand cutters letter font finished in gold.
Mrs Martin has been an absolute pleasure to work for and who I now consider a good friend.
Namaste

16/02/2026

Even after making memorial stones for thousands of families across the last 4 decades i still feel an immense sense of gratitude when someone goes out of their way to say thank you in writing, none more so than the Wigley family who have been an absolute pleasure to work with and who I now consider good friends.
Thank you.
Namaste.

08/02/2026

11/12/2025

Not your run of the mill house plaque.

I first created the verse around the outside around 20 years ago and have carved it many times since.

Hope he’ll be pleased with it.

17/11/2025

Finally!

Sorry it took a while Mam and Dad but
A. I didn’t want to rush it
B. It was challenging to make your own parents headstone
C. You definitely have the the best headstone in the churchyard and the best one I have ever made.

It’s the least Callum and I could do considering what you did for us, we are eternally greatful and we miss you more than human words can say.

God bless the both of you, we hope wherever you are that you are safe, loved, happy and in good company. Adie and Tadge x

05/11/2025

I recently completed this beautiful desk top splay memorial in Bahama blue granite with heritage lettering finished in gold with a very unique England rose and Scottish thistle carving.

I’m very greatful for the opportunity to make this for the Williamson family, they were are an absolute pleasure to work with and I now consider them friends more than clients.
Namaste.

04/11/2025

Its always an incredibly positive feeling to know that you have helped someone and they appreciate it.
Namaste.

04/09/2025

Across the last 4 decades I’ve worked for somewhere in the region of approx 6000 families, (I guess), I’ve commemorated the lives of so many people from so many communities cities across northern England and further afield, I’ve introduced a lot of artistic fabric into the burial grounds of just about everywhere in the North East but none have been as challenging as this one, a memorial for two of the greatest humans who ever walked Gods Green Earth.

Every single word carved on this stone is true, you couldn’t help but love the pair of them, I’ve met many souls in this world while I’ve been here but I’ve never met any who were of this calibre. Kind doesn’t come into it, they were the real thing.

Callum and I finally erected this beautiful ruby red and gold tribute to the centre of our universe today, it’s by far the longest inscription I’ve ever done, 5 years in the making. Mam was the first of my loved ones I lost in the pandemic but her stone has taken the longest to make.

It’s not finished yet, still more to add but at least the main stone is now in place.

I couldn’t have done this without our Callum, I know Mam and Dad, Callum’s dad and our Bazz will all of been there with us today smiling at him and feeling very proud.

(Sorry it took a while Mam and Dad, it’s hard to carve wi tears in your eyes. I miss and love you both so much, we both do, so very much.

We’ll be back with everything to finish the job and do the landscaping soon enough.

You’ve got the best stone in the churchyard.

You are loved. )

(Bazz, your stone is next, it’s on its way mate.)

Headstone is modelled here by Callum Hopper in size 6’2 and big feet, lol