Grieving families claim they have been left in limbo – and hundreds of pounds poorer – after a West Cumbrian stonemason appears to have closed down.
One family, who have asked not to be named, went to Cumbria Headstones for a fitting tribute to their loved one and paid £800 upfront for a memorial to place on their grave.
Despite repeated attempts to contact the company, which was based in Workington, they said they have had no reply. The last time they had any contact with the firm was in July, when it emailed them to confirm the inscription.
The family said: “We are absolutely devastated. We have waited months for a lasting memorial for our loved one, and we’re left with nothing. It’s really upsetting.”
Another family said they paid £916 for a headstone after a representative of the company visited them at their home. They sent a cheque to an address near Silloth, but when a member of the family visited the premises, they said they were told by the person who answered the door that they had ‘never heard of them’.
This family said they had contacted Trading Standards and filled out a letter, which they sent to the firm’s registered address at 73, Lowther Street, Whitehaven – accountants Tax Assist – giving Cumbria Headstones 14 days to fulfil the contract.
They said: “To do this to people who are already in an emotional condition is dreadful. There are families who won’t be able to find the money to buy a new headstone.”
Set up in 2017, the company is run by husband-and-wife Mark and Rebecca Hodgson – but mystery surrounds its current status and future.
Today, Cumbria Headstones’ website no longer exists.
It is also believed it has moved out of its depot on Westfield Drive, although this has not been confirmed.
According to Companies House, the firm is still active.
Cumbria Crack contacted Cumbria Headstones for a comment. A company representative – who declined to give his name – called back to confirm it was Cumbria Crack trying to get in touch but declined to comment further about the status of the company or the family’s concerns.
