L. Purvis, Northumberland

Having approached Mr. Penaluna to clean family headstones at St. Johns cemetery l could never have imagined such a transformation. Not only was the stonework mended, secured then cleaned the ground work was also attended to and the overall results are simply first class. Throughout the entire process photos and texts were sent via email therefore keeping me up to date with progress made. I found Mr. Penaluna to be extremely professional and I would not hesitate to highly recommend him.

Gail, Florida

Simon is a consummate professional who is compassionate, respectful and true to his word. His company did everything they promised from refurbishing and re-aligning my late husband’s headstone at the West Road Crematorium, Newcastle upon Tyne. He kept me informed on a regular basis with the step by step process and pictures which I much appreciated, not living in Newcastle anymore. I put my trust in Simon and he came glowingly through.

Peter, Newcastle upon Tyne

Forget Me Not was the best move I’ve made. My parents grave has been restored as new. Simon was ever so professional and kept me up to date with each step and he is very highly recommended. A pleasure to do business with.

Lorraine, West Midlands

I went to visit my paternal Grandparents’ grave but couldn’t find it, so spent the next 50 minutes searching the entire cemetery for them. As I stood by a very old, neglected stone that was covered in lichen and illegible, I saw the name Agnes. This was my Grandmother’s name. I looked closer and saw that it was my Grandparents’ headstone. I was devastated. I started looking online for someone who could help. This is where I made contact with Simon of Forget-Me-Not Grave Tending Services. I sent Simon the pictures I’d taken with not much hope that anything could be done. Simon got back to me really quickly, telling me that he would be in the area within a couple of weeks and would go and have a look at it for me. Simon contacted me once he had been to see the headstone and told me that he thought he could make an improvement to the headstone. He gave me a breakdown of the costs and timescales (Simon told me it would take quite a few visits given the state of the headstone) and I gave Simon the go-ahead. Within the first two visits the difference Simon had made was incredible – I could read the details on the stone. I was extremely happy. But this was just the beginning. Now, several months on, the improvement to the headstone is absolutely astonishing – in fact I would say the transformation is miraculous! From a wonky, illegible headstone that reduced me to tears, my Grandparents’ resting place is now beautiful. Simon has worked so hard, straightening the headstone, putting down grass seed and bringing it to its former glory. I would absolutely recommend Forget-Me-Not Grave Tending Services to anyone. I have been updated on the treatments/procedures for each of the visits including photographs and a short detailed description of the works. I’m thrilled that I found Simon and Forget-Me-Not Grave Tending Services and very happy that I now have someone I can trust implicitly to keep on top of the care of my loved ones’ resting place when I am so far away. Thank you Simon, I shall be eternally grateful.

Sylvia & Mike, Cramlington

Thank you Simon for the amazing restoration of our old family grave. We could not be happier with your workmanship and professionalism. The updates and photographs along the way were very much appreciated. We, as a family, are delighted with the transformation and would have no hesitation in recommending your services to others.

Carl, Northumberland

After meeting Simon by chance, Me and my brother decided to ask him to try and bring some life back into our younger brother headstone for our parents, to say my family are happy is an understatement. His work is first class and Simon clearly takes his work passionately and personally. The headstone is like new. Thank you Simon, highly recommended.

Terry, Gateshead

After a close brush with death through breast cancer, my Norwegian niece, Solveig had taken an interest in her English ancestors and wished to have some religious mementos left on the grave of my maternal grandparents with photographs sent to her. I found the grave but it had deteriorated in the decades since they had been interred and I felt rather ashamed of my neglect and dared not send a picture of this dirty and subsiding structure. Fortunately I engaged Simon and he began the restoration process that has, over a period of time transformed the stonework into something near its original state and at a reasonable cost. I am now happy to place the mementoes on the grave and send photographs to my family in Norway.

Kathryn, Gosforth

I contacted Mr Penaluna’s website Forget Me Not on the advice of my cousins who were very pleased with the work completed by him on their parents and grandparents graves. I requested that further information be entered on my parents’ gravestone and for some restoration work to be undertaken. I was extremely pleased with the result and the excellent service I received, Mr Penaluna also kept me regularly informed as to how the work was progressing. I therefore highly recommend the work of Forget Me Not to anyone considering repair work to a gravestone.

Frederico, Brazil

I was introduced by a friend to Simon from Forget Me Not Grave Tending Services. Living in Brazil makes it not as easy to deal with a company abroad. The work was to redo and update my twin brother’s grave in Sunderland. We don’t know each other personally. However Simon provided all the services with perfection. Sent me all the costs, did all the necessary purchases and kept me constantly updated with photos. Trusted me completely. Even though I was worried how payment would reach him he only asked it from me when all was finished. I am very happy with the services provided. Most impressed with the quality and detail. Strongly recommend his services. From now on I am his client as he 4 times of the year he will do (at change of each season) updates at the grave site.

Ella, Surrey

Forget Me Not was professional, considerate and helpful. The quality of the work was fantastic and I can’t thank them enough! 10 out of 10!

Rosemary, Northumberland

All I can say is that the restoration of my parents’ grave is amazing. Thank you so very much for all the very hard work you have put in, especially in this extremely hot weather. I can thoroughly recommend you, you have been so thoughtful every step of the way, even down to leaving flowers on the grave. Thank you once again.

Pauline, Alison and Ray, Tyneside

We would like to say a huge thank you for your hard work and kind attention to restoring the headstone for us in memory of our Parents we are extremely happy with the work you have carried out and wouldn’t hesitate but to recommend your services to our friends and family should they need your services.

The Ryan Family, Ireland

We can’t thank Simon enough for the amazing repair and restoration work he has completed on my Grandparents/parents grave. We can’t emphasise enough the transformation he has made to a very very old broken grave… My mother passed away recently and her remains were put into that grave with her parents… it broke our hearts as the grave had been neglected for over 20 years and was in a terrible state. Simon transformed the grave + it looks great now. Simon is an incredibly skilled man with enormous kindness + compassion. We no longer live in England so Simon sent us very regular updates + photos of his repairs to the grave. Simon has given my parents/grandparents the dignity they deserve.. .we are very very grateful to him. We highly recommend him.

Barbara, Northumberland

ForgetMeNot replied immediately to my request for help in cleaning and tidying my late aunt’s grave. It was rather neglected and took a number of visits and hard work to clean the stones and bed turf around the plot. Throughout the process Simon sent me regular updates with photographs and I found it very reassuring to know that the work was progressing. His emails were always kind and polite in tone and I was never asked for any money until the work was complete. I am delighted with the way the grave looks now and the cost has been very good value indeed. I will continue to use ForgetMeNot for grave tending services in the future and cannot recommend them highly enough.

Allison, Sunderland

I have recently had my parents grave turfed by forget me not grave tending services, I cannot praise their services highly enough the work was done promptly and to an exceedingly high standard and the follow up care was incredible.

Mary, Essex

I am very appreciative of Simon’s help, care and advice in restoring my parents’ grave to its original state. It is so difficult, living away from the area, to maintain the original appearance and to commemorate special occasions and times of the year with flowers. Simon took great care in restoring the marble and stone, making several visits and keeping me informed with photos recording the changes. He has also laid some new grass, which has made a great improvement. It is a relief to know that I no longer have to worry, and we have agreed that he will visit several times a year, leaving real flowers for important dates and some good quality artificial ones in between times. I am grateful for his reliability and professional approach.

Edmund and Phil, Canada

Excellent service and quality workmanship. It was a leap of faith to engage this company to restore our parent’s grave. Living so far away with no possibility to oversee progress we were kept informed on every detail from quote to completion with emails and photographs. Could not have expected better. We would recommend “Forget me Not” to look after grave plots, neglected or otherwise. An excellent restoration and follow up service.

Christine and Janet

Our dear mam died in 2010, our dad having died more than 40 years ago. How didn’t I remember that the headstone was white marble, not black granite? The original stonemason took the headstone away to add mam’s details and asked if I wanted the whole thing cleaned, or just the patch where the new writing was to go. The cost was to be close to £1000 to have the whole stone cleaned. Well, I decided to get just the smaller part cleaned. It looked horrendous and my sister Janet was embarrassed to visit. It was not quite as bad for me – as I live a long way away. We started looking into remedies, we spent a couple of hours ourselves with a bottle of bleach – that made no difference. We nearly bought chemicals off the internet to try another DIY job – thankfully we decided against, as we have seen several very white but very old grave stones in the cemetery with missing lead from the lettering, which we feel is probably caused by using very strong chemicals. Not living in Newcastle any more, I found local grave tending services on the internet, and contacted several of them. Simon gave us a very fair quotation, and explained how he would go about cleaning the headstone over several visits. He kept us up to date with photographs and, as you can see, he has done an absolutely fantastic job. We have asked Simon to tend to mam’s grave on a yearly basis, and we would have no hesitation in recommending his services. Thanks Simon!

Julian, Essex

When my wife and I moved 300 miles from home for work over thirty years ago, I never thought about what would happen when my parents passed away. Before I discovered this service I was struggling to keep up with grave maintenance and honouring important dates, like birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas. Forget-Me-Not gives me peace of mind that my parents’ memories and wishes are respected, even though I am far away. Not only can I keep them in my thoughts but with advance reminders I can leave personal, family messages and floral tributes. I visit my parents’ grave when I can but it’s good to know they are in safe hands when I can’t.

Janet, Yorkshire

Having moved 150 miles away from my daughter’s grave, I was becoming increasingly concerned that I was unable to visit with any frequency and it was becoming neglected. Furthermore, the white marble headstone after 24 years was badly stained and marked by algae and time. Simon answered my enquiry on the same day, visited and provided a quote within a week and attended within days of his reasonable costs being accepted. He kept me informed with emails and photographs at each step. The grave is transformed and the stone restored to its original shade. I am so pleased I am asking him to attend on a regular basis. Thank you.

Susan, Dereham

I have nothing but praise for Forget-Me-Not Grave Tending Services. Simon has not only put lovely flowers on the grave, but has cleaned the headstone so that it looks almost like new. He has also treated the surrounding grass. He is reliable and sensitive and has provided a first class service. I can therefore highly recommend him.

Alison, Sunderland

Glad that I found Forget-Me-Not. They have restored my parents’ resting place to a high standard, and I have them tending four times a year. Thank you for a first class service.

Peter, Hounslow

Excellent value and quality service and, most impressively, very sensitively handled. Have been using Simon for several years now, and have no hesitation in recommending his services.

Etta, Gosforth

Simon has been tending our family grave for several years now and has provided a reliable and regular service throughout the year. This has included cleaning the headstone, replacing weather-damaged plants and laying and maintaining the turf. I would be happy to recommend him.

Ross, Edinburgh

The family asked Simon to refurbish a family grave which hadn’t been looked after for many years. Simon did an excellent job of cleaning and securing the gravestone and laying turf. Throughout the process his communication was very good and the effort made in restoring the grave resulted in an outcome we were delighted with. We would highly recommend Simon’s grave tending services.

Cathleen, Oxfordshire

We have been greatly impressed by the skill and standard of service offered by Forget-Me-Not Grave Tending Services, and by the very reasonable pricing of their work. Thanks to superb groundwork and re-turfing, a family grave in the boggy part of Heworth Cemetery has been transformed, while another there has been restored from its blackened and illegible state to the original gleaming white marble, and enhanced by the addition of an unusual decorative gravel which Simon took special trouble to source. A third family grave recently located in the cemetery on Sunderland Road, Gateshead has a broken headstone which Simon is repairing and cleaning and which we plan to plant with a sedum carpet. Simon also places flowers on the graves three times a year so that special anniversaries are marked even if we cannot be there. We would not hesitate to recommend Simon and, indeed, have already done so to a friend, who is as delighted as we are with the quality of Simon’s work.

Aileen, West Yorkshire

Following our recent bereavement, we were concerned that the family grave would look uncared for because we lived too far away to make regular visits and bring flowers. Then we found the ‘Forget Me Not’ website and all our worries were over. Simon has transformed the site of our parents’s grave, draining the soil, planting lush grass and placing flowers at regular intervals which makes it look cherished. He also sends photographs so we know that it is being managed with excellent care and attention. This peace of mind comes at a most reasonable cost considering the effort involved and we are delighted to recommend him to friends and colleagues.

Werner, Newcastle

My parents’ graves required expert attention and I was very fortunate in having Simon recommended to me by a friend. I have been delighted with the quality of his work and his most helpful approach throughout! He kept me posted on the progress (plus photos) and attended carefully to every detail. Simon did an excellent job and the graves and headstones now look as new! I would not hesitate in recommending Simon and have already passed his name on to a friend who is arranging for Simon to maintain his parent’s graves.

Freddie, Jerusalem

My parent’s graves were not in a good condition and I was recommended by a friend to contact Simon. I was continually kept up to date with the progress of the renovation by photographs showing the improvements, at each stage and the final results were really excellent and the cost was very reasonable. Everything that Simon did was to my complete satisfaction and I am very happy to recommend him to anyone wishing to have their dear one’s graves renovated and to appear as new.

Di, Northumberland

Thanks for all of you­r hard work turning a­n embarrassing eyesor­e into a distinctive ­memorial once again. ­You offered to send m­e weekly photographs ­of the work in progre­ss (but I didn’t real­ly expect you to do s­o). You have been mor­e than amenable with ­our suggestions, always professional, meas­ured and sensitive in­ carrying out our wis­hes. I salute your pr­ofessionalism and wou­ld happily recommend ­your services to othe­rs. Thank you so much­ for being so easy to­ work with and for re­solving a troublesome­ issue for our family.

Dave, Sutton Coldfield

Simon cleaned / renovated a grave for me at Whitley Bay Cemetery. He was straightforward to organise and arrange with, was flexible, and with good communication and regular updates. This made everything much easier especially as I was doing this remotely as I do not live in the North East. The clean was over a period of 3mths when Simon sprayed with special fluid each week and left it to soak in to the dirt and grime, and cleaned the headstone, kerbs, and vases, weekly / gradually to remove the dirt and corrosion that had build-up over decades, and transformed it from grey and barely readable, back to white! (as shown on the photos in the name of Johnstone). There were just a couple of parts where the dirt was more embedded, but nothing too significant, and I knew from the off it would not be perfect / look like new. I am really pleased with the finish and the transformation of it. He also removed and disposed of the old bed of small stones and supplied new ones after levelling it, and also a slow growing plant and artificial flower arrangement. Simon was very diligent in the way he goes about things, considering all aspects of what is needed to be done, and working with thought and care to the grave, and did it in a proper gentler way, rather than a ‘quick clean’ way with stronger fluid which may damage / crack the stone.

Anne

I would recommend Simon as I am so pleased at the work he has done on my parents grave. Thank you for a first class service. I have no one else to help me so it was so good to have this excellent service.