Can We Help You?

Questions we are Commonly Asked

If you cannot find an answer to a memorial plaque question in this section, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

What happens when I buy a Memorial KeepStake through the website?

Once you have completed and submitted the online order form, you will receive an email confirming that we have received your order and the engraving text required. Please check these details carefully and contact us immediately if there are any errors in the wording required. If we do not hear from you within twenty-four hours of receiving your order, we will assume the text is correct. Your memorial plaque will then be professionally engraved, and if you have chosen the Silver, Gold or Platinum gift packages, will be wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a gift box. The gift package is tied with ribbon and has a KeepStakes gift tag. Please note ribbon colour/type may vary from the pictures shown on the website. If you have requested that we complete the gift tag on your behalf, it will be handwritten for you. Your KeepStakes gift box or memorial plaque on its own (if you have chosen the Bronze package) will then be placed in a padded jiffy bag and posted first class to your requested delivery address.

What are the dimensions of the Memorial Plaque?

The memorial plaque face itself measures 11cm wide x 8cm depth by 2mm depth. The whole KeepStake including tapered stake stands 30cm tall.

What is the memorial plaque made of?

The plaques are cut from aluminium which is anodised* to make sure the plaque is weatherproof and therefore suitable for use outdoors. The professional engraving cuts through the anodised protective layer, however it is extremely unlikely that exposure to the elements will cause any problems reading the text in years to come. We recommend your Memorial KeepStake is polished once every couple of months with beeswax furniture polish to ensure it remains clean and legible.

What is the maximum amount of text I can have on the Memorial KeepStake?

We can engrave any text in the English language. Please have a look at our suggested wordings section for examples of inspiring inscriptions and pictures of engraved memorial plaques. The maximum amount of text that can be engraved on the plaque is a total of 250 characters including spaces. Please don't feel that you must use all of these characters, we suggest that less text can often look better. Where possible, we will emphasise the name requested or other key information by using slightly bigger or shaded text to make this stand out.

For presentation purposes we will fill the engraved letters with a black fluid to help them stand out. This black colour fades to grey once the plaque has been outdoors for a few days, however the engraving is obviously permanent and will last as long as the memorial tree. To keep your memorial plaque legible, we suggest polishing the plaque every couple of months with a beeswax furniture polish.

Can I add a pictures to the top of the memorial plaque?

Yes, we have a number of images that can be added to the top of the memorial plaque. You can see pictures of the options available on the engraving information page. If you wish to add an image, simply select the radio button corresponding to your preferred option on the online order form. Of course, these pictures are optional, if you prefer not to have an image added to your plaque, simply select the "no icon" option on the order form.

Can I choose any wording?

Yes, as long as the text is taken from the English alphabet and is within our limits of taste and decency.

Is the KeepStakes logo anywhere on the Plaque?

We engrave care instructions and a small KeepStakes logo and website address on the back of the plaque. If you would prefer to have the back of your plaque blank, please let us know by completing the Special Requests box on the online order form

Can I choose to have my memorial plaque gift packaged, but without seeds included?

Yes, however, it is the same price as the silver package £24.99. Some overseas countries have restrictions on importing tree seeds, however we regularly dispatch our silver gift packages throughout Europe by standard airmail post and have experienced very few difficulties with the authorities.

How do I know if there is a Garden Centre participating in the voucher scheme near my or my recipients home?

Have a look on the National Garden Gift Vouchers website. To find your nearest participating National Garden Gift Voucher outlet simply click on the map of the UK.

Can you deliver the Memorial KeepStake directly to my chosen recipient?

Absolutely. We make no charge for this service. Simply tell us your gift card message and we will complete it for you. Just complete the gift tag details on the order form and complete both name and address sections on the order form.

How long can I expect a Memorial Plaque KeepStake to last outdoors?

Forever. We know that you want a memorial plaque to stand the test of time, consequently we have researched our materials carefully. Garden products crafted from the same material have been used in gardens for a very long time without signs of significant weathering. Each memorial plaque is made from the highest quality aluminium and we professionally engrave it for you. The engraved letters are filled with a black liquid for presentation purposes and although this jet black colour fades when exposed to rain, over time, the engraving becomes more prominent as the plaque gets dirty. You can buy a Memorial KeepStake with the utmost confidence that your plaque will still look good in years to come.

*Quick chemistry lesson if you are interested. Aluminium is a reactive metal (notably more so than iron) and therefore you would expect it to corrode much more rapidly than it does. It forms an oxide layer on the surface of the metal protecting the base metal underneath. KeepStakes are "anodised" which involves forming a structured and dense oxide layer protecting the underlying metal. The result is a lasting weatherproof material, perfect for outdoor use. Our Memorial Plaques are laser cut from sheet metal, consequently there may be some very faint surface scratches. These are unlikely to be very noticeable and simply reflect the expectations of an outdoor product.

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