Memorials

Once you have agreed the design of the memorial, and the wording to be inscribed with your chosen Memorial Mason, a completed memorial permit application will be sent to the Cemetery Office for approval.

Traditional Graves - may be planted along the full length, and headstone and kerbs can be installed. Grave Owners must maintain planted areas or the area inside the kerbs.

 Lawn sections- kerbstones or full-length gardens are not allowed, and all planting is to be kept within 12 inches of the memorial. The placing of markers, fencing, gravel, chippings or glass containers cannot be allowed and may be removed

Cremated Remains Plots - Memorial plaques, tablets and memorial vases only are allowed in the Garden of Remembrance. Any object or material placed outside the plot are not permitted and may be removed.

The Council reserve the right to refuse permission for the erection of any memorial or the placing of any inscription which may be considered unsuitable.

Memorials will be erected once the ground has completely settled after an interment, usually about 6-12 months.

Memorials are erected at the owners risk and they are responsible for upkeep and maintaining it in a safe condition. The Council will not be responsible for any damage to memorials or gravestone by storm, wind, lightning, subsidence, vandalism or acts of a third party. It is always advisable to insure a memorial against accidental damage and vandalism. Information about this can be provided by your appointed Memorial Mason or the National Association of Memorial Masons.

Cemetery fees

Who can authorise work on a memorial

If you are the registered grave owner, you must sign a memorial permit application form to authorise work on a memorial. If the owner is deceased, and work such as renovation and/or an additional inscription to a grave is to be carried out, then a transfer of ownership will be required.

Memorial safety

Under current UK Health and Safety legislation, it is a requirement that suitable inspections are conducted in all burial grounds in the UK. Inspections are carried out by experienced operatives and will be carried out sensitively, in accordance with national guidance. The impact of inspections should hopefully be minimal, however, there will be occasions where memorials are found to be unsafe.  Where found unsafe, we will take steps to make them safe, which may involve re-jointing memorials, setting memorials in the ground or, where necessary, laying them flat. Where memorials are clearly visited, steps will be taken to try to contact family members to allow them to carry out a proper repair.

Memorial regulations

The NAMM code of working practice applies to all new memorials and existing memorials that are removed and then re-erected.

For further information, please contact the Cemetery Office on 01784 446379