BLAENGWRACH COMMUNITY COUNCIL CEMETERY GUIDELINES
Index:
SECTION 1 – Introduction;
SECTION 2 – Cemetery Information;
SECTION 3 – BOOKING AND SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS;
SECTION 4 – CEMETERY RULES & GUIDANCE;
SECTION 5 – BURIAL INFORMATION;
SECTION 6 – MEMORIALSATION;
SECTION 7 – COMMENTS, COMPLIMENTS & COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE;
Section 1:
INTRODUCTION
It is the aim of the Council to provide the highest standards within its Cemetery Service to meet the needs of the bereaved and those who visit.
It is therefore essential that Cemetery Rules and Regulations are in place to provide an acceptable balance between the provision of a sensitive service with the varying need to maintain the dignity and sanctity of our Cemetery; as well as to inform all cemetery users of the reasonable requirements applicable to them, to enable the Council to effectively manage the service.
The Cemetery Rules and Regulations include the statutory requirements contained within the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Authorities` Cemeteries Order 1977 and any other legislation governing this service.
Blaengwrach Community Council reserves the right to make any amendments, alterations or additions to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations as and when necessary.
All persons admitted to the Cemetery and using the Cemetery Service will be subject to the Rules and Regulations set out in this document. The Council reserves the right to remove from the cemetery any person infringing the Regulations.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing within this document shall prejudice or affect the Council`s rights, powers, duties and obligations in the exercise of its function as a Local Authority.
ON REQUEST, a copy of these regulations will be issued to all Funeral Directors and BRAMM Monumental Masons that are located within the Neath Port Talbot area. Policy will be available on the Council website.
In these Regulations, except where the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
“The Cemetery” shall mean:
Gorffwysfa Cemetery, Parish Road, Cwmgwrach, Neath and shall include all grave spaces, cremation spaces, verges, fences, access roads, amenity areas and buildings within its confines.
Should anyone have any queries in relation to the Rules and Regulations, they should, in the first instance, contact The Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council on 07522 085222, email blaengwrach.clerk@gmail.com. Any complaints will be dealt with in accordance with the Council`s Comments, Compliments and Complaints Policy.
Section 2:
CEMETERY INFORMATION:
Address: The Council has responsibility as a burial authority for the cemetery located at Gorffwysfa Cemetery, Parish Road, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5SW.
Contact: ALL BURIAL RECORDS AND COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
The Clerk, Blaengwrach Community Council, The Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TB – Telephone number: 07522 085222 – email: blaengwrach.clerk@gmail.com
Cemetery Opening Times:
The gate of the Cemetery will remain open at all reasonable times as determined by the Council.
The main entrance gates will be open for funerals, stone masons and private vehicles at all reasonable times as determined by the Council.
Users and visitors May be asked to leave the Cemetery whilst funerals are taking place.
Special Days: The Council`s Office WILL NOT be open on Bank Holidays.
Section 3:
BOOKING AND SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS:
Notice of Interment: Following notification to the Clerk to the Council by telephone, the Written Notice of Interment MUST be delivered to the Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TB as soon as possible after the telephone notification has been given.
Notices shall be accompanied by any required legal documents and payment in full of all fees due to the Council in respect of interments. Failure to comply with this procedure MAY result in delaying interments.
The Notice shall be given on a form which can be provided by the Council and MUST contain the following information:
a) The full name, address, date of death, marital status, employment and age of the deceased;
b) The day, date and time of the arrival of the funeral;
c) The name of the attending Minister (if applicable);
d) Is the plot a “New Full Grave for Burial”, a “New Cremation Plot for Cremated Remains”, a “Reopening of an Existing Grave for a Second or Subsequent Burial” or a “Reopening of a Cremation Plot for a Second or Subsequent Interment of Ashes”.
Orders or Instruction by Telephone/Post:
Any orders or instructions given by telephone will be received at the sole risk of any person giving such orders or instructions, and the Council SHALL NOT be responsible for any misunderstanding, which may arise with regard to orders or instructions given by telephone.
Orders or instructions given by telephone MUST be immediately confirmed in writing to the Council (email accepted).
Orders accompanied by remittances will be accepted if sent by post but the Council WILL NOT accept responsibility for any loss or delay which may occur if orders do not reach the Council in time.
Times and Days for Burials:
Where two full interments are requested in the Cemetery, (but not in the same grave), a minimum of 2 (two) hours between services is required with the Council reserving the right to determine the time of the later interment.
Where two interments of ashes are requested at the Cemetery, (but not in the same plot), a minimum of 1 (one) hour between services is required with the Council reserving the right to determine the time of the later interment.
NO burials are permitted on Sundays, Bank Holidays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday or any other public holidays except in cases of emergency and by permission of the Council.
Reservation of Graves and Cremation Plots:
Prior arrangements for reservation of either grave plots or cremation plots CANNOT be made. (The Council reserve the right to re-examine this policy at any time).
FEES:
Cemetery Fees are payable to the Council in respect of the following:
a) Burial (coffin or ashes).(NOTE: The placing of a head-stone, memorial and inscription on the stone/memorial is included in the fee at the time of publishment of these guidelines;
b) Any other matter in connection with the Cemetery which has been approved by the Council;
A single fee for burial will be charged in all cases, even if two or more burials of coffins or cremated remains are taking place in the same grave or plot on the same day. A schedule of such fees are available, ON REQUEST, from the Clerk to the Council.
Funeral Arrangements:
For all Burial Services, the relatives or friends of the deceased will appoint the officiating person. The person having charge of the funeral MUST make all arrangements with the person intending to officiate. The Council undertakes NO responsibility whatsoever on this account.
The person arranging the funeral or his/her representative shall ensure that they have sufficient persons to transfer the coffin from the vehicle to the grave side and lower the coffin into the grave. In all cases this should be a minimum of 4 (four) persons for the burial of an adult.
All funerals within the confines of the Cemetery shall be under the control of the Funeral Director, who will direct all vehicles and carriages within the Cemetery.
The time appointed for the funeral is that at which the procession is to arrive at the Cemetery. Funerals must be at the Cemetery punctually.
No funeral processions shall be allowed to enter the Cemetery except by permission of the Council.
The Council reserves to allow the Funeral Director to exclude from the Cemetery any person or persons directly or not directly connected with a funeral.
The production of the Registrar for Deaths Certificate for Disposal, Cremation Certificate, Notice of Interment of a Stillborn Baby or a Coroner`s Order for the Burial MUST be made to the Council prior to burial. No interment will be allowed except on the production of the required certificates.
If a certificate is not available at the time of burial, the Declaration Form 18 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1926, Section 1, has to be completed by the Funeral Director (or the person conducting the funeral at the Cemetery) for the funeral to proceed.
Section 4:
CEMETERY RULES AND GUIDANCE:
Coffins and Cremated Remains Containers:
A body will not be accepted for burial at the Cemetery unless it is enclosed within a suitable secured coffin. Cardboard, willow and homemade coffins are acceptable provided that they have first been authorised by the Council (the arrangement for a cardboard, willow or homemade coffin MUST be agreed with the chosen Funeral Director who will liaise with the Council to obtain the required permission). Cremated remains must be held in a container designed for the purpose of burial and approved by the Council. All coffins and cremated remains containers entering the Cemetery must bear a nameplate or other suitable form of identification which must contain the name of the deceased. The nameplate shall be confirmed against the correlated record by an appropriate member of the Funeral Director`s staff to allow the burial to proceed.
Vehicles/Transport:
All vehicles of those attending a funeral within the Cemetery shall be under the direction of the Funeral Director.
The Council gives the Funeral Director permission to ask anyone NOT attending a funeral to remove their vehicle within the Cemetery grounds if such vehicle is impeding or likely to impede the progress of the funeral procession taking place, or about to take place.
No vehicle shall be parked on grassed areas within the Cemetery. Vehicles shall NOT be parked in such a way as to cause a nuisance, annoyance or inconvenience to other Cemetery users or persons.
A speed limit of 5 m.p.h. applies in the Cemetery.
Stone mason`s vehicles will not be allowed to remain in the Cemetery for longer than is necessary. The proprietor shall be responsible for any damage caused by the bringing of any materials or works, and will be held responsible for the reinstatement/repair/costs in relation to such materials or works.
No person other than those who are employed by the Council or work in connection with the Cemetery (e.g. Funeral Directors, Grave Diggers) shall draw, drive or wheel any carriage, vehicle or trailer on to the grassed areas within the Cemetery.
Prams, pushchairs mobility scooters and wheelchairs will be allowed within the Cemetery, including the grassed areas; but the Council WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, under any circumstances, for loss or damage howsoever caused by their use.
No person shall ride any pedal cycle of any description in the Cemetery.
The use of skates, skateboards and go-carts ARE FORBIDDEN within the Cemetery.
The Council reserves the right to bar access to any persons who either intentionally, negligently or persistently, causes or allows damage to be caused to graves, monuments, stones or the turfed area of the Cemetery, or to any kerbs, paved areas etc. within the Cemetery.
For any of the above, the Council may pursue (by legal action if necessary) the reimbursement of the cost of any damage above caused.
Admission to the Cemetery:
All persons within the Cemetery will be subject to the directions and instructions contained in these guidelines.
All persons visiting the Cemetery must conduct themselves in a quiet and orderly manner, and must keep to the access roads and paths and not tread on the grassed area of the Cemetery unless in the course of visiting a grave.
The Council reserves the right to exclude any person from any part of the Cemetery.
All persons in the Cemetery shall take all reasonable care to protect their own physical safety and property.
No person, unless authorised by the Council to do so shall be allowed in the building within the Cemetery.
A person shall not enter or leave the Cemetery other than through the gates provided for that purpose.
Offences in the Cemetery:
No person shall in the Cemetery:
* Create any disturbance in the Cemetery;
* Commit any nuisance in the Cemetery;
* Interfere with any burial taking place in the Cemetery;
* Interfere with any grave, memorial or any flowers or plants which he/she is not authorised to tend;
* Play any game or sport in the Cemetery;
* Discharge a firearm in the Cemetery;
* Carry any weapon, ammunition or any object which may be used as a weapon;
* Sit, stand or climb upon any grave, gravestone, headstone, monument, tree, gate or fence in the Cemetery;
* Use any indecent or obscene language to the annoyance to any person in the Cemetery;
* Pluck or otherwise interfere with any bud, blossom, flower, or leaf of any tree, sapling, shrub, underwood or any other plants in the Cemetery, except for the purpose of properly tending any grave which he/she is authorised to tend;
* Place anywhere in the Cemetery any literature/posters/business cards;
* Throw, or place any item that is likely to set fire to or damage anything either growing in the Cemetery;
* Sell, or offer for sale any article of any kind whatsoever within the Cemetery;
* Consume Alcoholic drinks within the Cemetery:
No demonstration of any kind shall be held in the Cemetery.
No religious service shall be held in the Cemetery other than the service at the time of a funeral.
If any damage is caused to Cemetery land, walls or premises by any cause whatsoever, the person or persons committing such damage WILL be held responsible by the Council.
Dogs:
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Dog owners are responsible for controlling their animals and are required to clear up and remove any mess from the Cemetery.
Filming and Photographing:
Photography and filming in the Cemetery is NOT permitted at any time without the prior consent of the Council.
Playing Music:
The playing of music will be permitted with the prior consent of the Council. However, the playing of any music that includes indecent or obscene language IS FORBIDDEN.
Use of Tap Water:
Any water tap provided for the use of the public shall be used with due care and users shall ensure that the tap is turned off immediately after use.
Private Work by Cemetery Staff:
Council employees SHALL NOT CARRY OUT ANY PRIVATE WORK whatsoever in the Cemetery.
No gratuity whatsoever shall be given to or received by Council employees.
Any complaints relating to Cemetery staff should be made, in writing, to the Clerk to the Council or the Council`s Chair.
Section 5:
BURIAL INFORMATION:
Register, Records etc:
A Register of Burials shall be kept by the Council where searches may be made by appointment. Certified extracts may be obtained. A charge MAY apply for this service.
Deeds of Grants of Exclusive Right of Burial:
Upon receipt of an Application for Interment received from the Funeral Director, which will have been signed by the next of kin/family member of the deceased, it will be noted that the signatory will be granted Exclusive Right of Burial as stated below.
Please take careful consideration that the correct family member signs the Notice of Interment Application, as thereafter, they will have legal control over the Exclusive Right of Burial of the grave/plot and any memorials/stones laid upon it.
A Deed of Grant is the legally binding agreement issued to a person (grant holder) for the Exclusive Right of Burial in a grave/plot which is currently for a period NOT exceeding 100 (one hundred) years.
A Deed of Grant gives the holder the legal right of burial to a specified grave/plot for the period stated above. The Deed of Grant does NOT constitute any on-going ownership of the land and the land remains/returns to the Council at the end of the period of the Grant. The Deed of Grant gives the signatory the exclusive right to: –
* Be buried in that grave/plot if sufficient space is available within the grave/plot;
* Authorise further burials in that grave/plot (where space is available) or permit the scattering of cremated remains on the grave/plot;
* Place a memorial/headstone on the grave/plot, subject to the Council`s Rules and Regulations;
* Have an inscription or additional inscriptions placed on a memorial/headstone on that grave/plot, subject to these regulations.
An Exclusive Right of Burial to a grave/plot may be transferred by deed or bequeathed by a Will. Any transfer of the Exclusive Rights of Burial shall not be deemed valid unless such a transfer has been registered/noted at the Community Council Office.
Where the grant holder is still alive and wishes to transfer a Grant of Exclusive Right to Burial to another person, a Form of Assignment will have to be completed. The new holder shall then own the right until the Deed expires.
Where a grant holder is deceased, and provided that the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial has not been specifically left to another person, then upon production of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, the right may be legally transferred to the Executors or Administrators of the deceased`s estate.
Where the grant holder is deceased and there is no Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, the Exclusive Right of Burial may not be transferred to another person except on completion of a Statutory Declaration (and Form of Renunciation, if applicable) ensuring that any other person equally entitled countersigns the Statutory Declaration and Form of Renunciation. A Statutory Declaration MUST be witnessed by a Solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths.
The Council may resell graves/plots for which the Grant of Exclusive Rights of Burial has expired.
No grave in which the right of burial has been purchased shall be opened without the production of the requisite legal document or the written consent of the owner together with the Notice of Interment, and there shall be no right to inter any person except the owner or an immediate relation of such owner, without the consent of the Council.
Graves – Preparation/Backfilling:
All excavation works and backfilling of graves/cremation plots will be carried out by the grave digger appointed by the Funeral Director that are trained to a recognised and credited standard.
The positions of the grave/cremation plot shall be designated by the Council in consultation with the appointed Funeral Director.
Before any excavation works commence, to accommodate the excavated soil, there may be a need for the grave digger to erect a soil box on a neighbouring grave/cremation plot. The Council will ensure this is done in a respectful way to avoid any upset.
In some situations, pumps may be used to ensure the grave/plot is dry for the interment and, depending on weather/ground conditions, may be left in place until the funeral cortege arrives at the Cemetery.
During stages of excavation the appointed grave digger will insert shoring at different levels in line with Health and Safety Guidelines.
On completion of the excavation, in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing environment the grave/plot shall be suitably dressed prior to a service taking place.
The appointed grave digger will replace the soil and a temporary mound will be formed, this will allow for soil settlement. Floral tributes will be carefully placed on or around a grave/plot by the Funeral Director.
In order to preserve the dignity of the Cemetery, Council staff will remove any floral tributes periodically.
After an appropriate time of the service, the grave/plot will be levelled by a designated grave digger (this may be the same appointed grave digger or another one appointed by the next of kin).
If during the interim period between the date of the service and the levelling of the grave/plot, if there are concerns regarding the level of the soil, please contact the Funeral Director who will contact the appointed grave digger.
Grave Sizes:
Each grave is supported by specialist shoring equipment and can accommodate a maximum coffin of 711mm (28″) wide and 2007mm (79″) in length being lowered therein. Anything above these dimensions would require special attention and additional time to prepare the grave. In such cases the Funeral Director should initially discuss the details with the Council at the time of giving Notice of Interment.
If a coffin exceeds the standard grave space sizes, then a suitable location will be allocated by the Council, If two (2) plots are required to accommodate a coffin then an additional fee may be applied.
Failure to provide accurate coffin sizes may result in the delay/postponement or suspension of a service.
Coffins that exceed the standard depth of 381mm (15″) may affect future interments.
The depth of a grave will vary and be dependent upon the location, ground condition and coffin sizes.
A minimum depth of soil of 610mm (24″) must be allowed from the top of the coffin to the surrounding ground level.
Brick graves ARE NOT ALLOWED in the Cemetery.
A fee as per the Council`s published fees is applicable if cremated remains are to be placed at full depth within an earthen grave, and will subsequently result in less available space.
Scattering of Cremated Remains:
Scattering of cremated remains shall only be permitted within the area of a grave space subject to delivery of a written request, copy of the Cremation Certificate and the payment of a fee to the Clerk to the Council.
Scattering of cremated remains shall only be undertaken on a day and time appointed by the Council. No person shall scatter cremated remains within any part of the Cemetery whatsoever without permission of the Council.
Muslim Graves and Burials:
Where it is practicable to do so, but without guarantee and subject to the variations contained Section 3 above, the Council may accommodate a burial within twenty-four (24) hours of the date of death. Graves will be dug to accommodate one (1) interment. Where reasonably practicable, partly prepared graves may be available.
A body will not be accepted for burial at the Cemetery unless it is enclosed within a suitable secured coffin that must bear a nameplate or other suitable form of identification which must contain the name of the deceased approved by the Funeral Director. There will be NO washing of bodies allowed at the grave side.
To prevent any Health and Safety hazards and to assist with the routine grass cutting, the “mounding” of graves WILL NOT be permitted.
At the discretion of the Council and where safe and possible to do so the Council may allow family backfilling to take place under the supervision of an approved grave digger. In the event of a family wishing to backfill the grave after the service, details must be included on the original Notice of Interment. Some families find this an appropriate way to pay their final respects to the deceased.
Section 6:
MEMORIALISATION:
Memorial Masons:
Only Memorial Masons and Fixers registered with the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) may submit an application to undertake any memorial works in the Cemetery.
All work to memorials shall be carried out to BS:8415.
The Council shall be informed of dates and times of intention to carry out all works on memorials.
Trough foundations WILL NOT be permitted in the Cemetery.
Where possible all work on memorials is to be completed by the mason before they attend the Cemetery and no labour of any kind (beyond that of affixing) will be allowed within the Cemetery, unless at the discretion of the Council.
All vehicles conveying monuments, kerbs, headstones or other materials to the Cemetery shall proceed by the road only to the nearest point to where the work is to be executed and a hand truck/trolley with wheels shall afterwards be used for the transit of these items. Vehicles MUST NOT go on any grassed areas without the prior consent of the Council.
Masons and others shall use such means as directed by the Council for the protection of the grassed areas during their work.
Masons employed in affixing monuments, kerbs, headstones etc. will be required to remove all spare soil, related materials and to leave the ground to the satisfaction of the Council. They will be held responsible for any damage done by them or their workmen either to the ground or to headstones etc. Masons must provide their own tools, planks and materials.
Where a memorial is removed to facilitate a burial, the mason must remove it and the ancillary base, kerbs, plinth, etc. off site for storage. The site is to be left in a clean and safe condition.
Memorial Masons are NOT permitted to dispose of any waste in Council bins.
No monument, kerb, headstone etc. shall be removed from the Cemetery without the consent of the Council.
No mason or other person is to solicit orders within the Cemetery.
The work of affixing must cease at 5pm and no work shall be allowed on Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday or any public holiday.
Work of every description must be carried out continuously and completed with due dispatch.
Memorial Masons visiting the Cemetery must show respect to others, especially at the time of a funeral. They must cease work if it is likely to cause distress or upset to others.
Memorial Masons are advised to contact the Council at the earliest opportunity if families ask for a memorial/wording which may NOT be in keeping within these regulations. Memorials not covered by or included within these regulations shall be subject to special agreement entered into with the Council.
From the date of installation in the Cemetery, all memorials MUST be subject to a guarantee of conformity granted by the mason. The guarantee confirms that the memorial has been fixed to BS:8415. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to the Council contacting BRAMM with the mason being denied future access to the Cemetery.
Memorials:
Monuments, kerbs, headstones, crosses and plaques are only allowed to be erected on a private grave.
The ownership, upkeep, maintenance and all repairs (including those required following stability tests carried out periodically by the Council), of a memorial, or any other part of the grave/plot remain the responsibility of the Rights Holder for the grave/plot. Headstones, crosses, plaques, kerbs or other structures shall be kept in good order and repaired to the satisfaction of the Council and at the expense of the grave/plot owner. In default of their being so kept, the Council may instruct a suitable contractor to carry out the necessary work and recover the cost from such owners, or remove the same.
No memorial is to be installed or structural or restorative works carried out to an existing memorial in the Cemetery unless permitted by the Council.
An application, in writing, to carry out memorial works may be made by the owner of the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial or any person who can satisfy the Council that they are a relative of a person buried in the grave/plot, or is acting at the request of such a relative, and that it is impracticable for them or such relative to trace the owner of the said Right.
Only Memorial Masons registered within the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) may submit a written application to undertake any memorial works in the Cemetery. Persons wishing to carry out any memorial works MUST satisfy themselves that the Memorial Masons they engage are BRAMM registered.
The BRAMM registration scheme is intended to:
* Protect the interests of memorial owners in respect of unsatisfactory workmanship;
* Standardise the quality of fabrication and installation methods;
* Ensure Monumental Masons comply with the Council`s Health and Safety Regulations;
* Ensure minimum levels of public liability and employer`s liability insurance cover are held by all Monumental Masons;
* Ensure that any memorial installed or repaired will pass a future stability test;
All applications for memorial works from the chosen Memorial Mason must include the identity of the grave/plot and details of the dimensions of the proposed works.
The Council reserves the right to instruct any person who places any memorial in the Cemetery without prior permission, or who places a memorial which exceeds any of the dimensions referred to in these rules, to remove the memorial from the Cemetery.
No headstone shall be placed at the head of a newly opened or re-opened grave until ground conditions are suitable. The time will vary depending on location within the Cemetery, to which the stone mason will advise and agree an installation date, as a guide a minimum of four (4) months after the interment.
Temporary wooden crosses or staked plaque shall measure no more than 610mm (24″) wide and 914mm (36″) above ground level, of a design agreed by the Funeral Director/Monumental Mason and the Council and installed securely.
All monuments, kerbs, headstones etc. of whatever description allowed into the Cemetery remain at the sole risk of the owner thereof, and the Council shall NOT be held responsible for any damage or breakage which may occur.
No person shall exert any force whatsoever to any memorial except persons authorised by the Council to erect and repair memorials, carry out stability tests and make memorials safe.
Only headstones of the sizes specified below shall be permitted in the Cemetery and will be erected on concrete foundations between 991mm (39″) and 1067mm (42″) in length, 381mm (15″) wide and 76mm (3″) in depth and upon an OPTIONAL natural hewn stone plinth, which shall NOT be more than 914mm (36″) in length and be 382mm (15″) in width and have a thickness of NOT less than 76mm (3″).
Headstones NOT to exceed 914mm (36″) in height and 610mm (24″) in width and a minimum of 76mm (3″) in thickness and a maximum of 152mm (6″) in thickness.
Memorials are permitted to a maximum overall height of 1118mm (44″) from ground level.
Stonemasons shall inscribe their firm`s name and symbol denoting use of a ground anchor at the base of the back lower section of the headstone. This MUST NOT, however, exceed 152mm (6″) x 51mm (2″) in size.
An extension in the form of a tablet is permitted on existing headstones and should extend NO MORE than 305mm (12″) out from the existing foundation base into the grave area. The foundation MUST be of the same material and width as the base used for the original headstone. The additional memorial shall be of the same material as the initial memorial in colouring, lettering and other features. The width of the added memorial tablet shall NOT exceed the width of the headstone and be adequately fixed to the base. The new base shall be lower than the original base and the new tablet shall slope back onto the existing base of the headstone. No other items are to be placed/planted outside of this area.
All memorials in the Cemetery will be subject to periodic testing. Responsibility for maintaining memorials remains with those who erected them. The Council may make safe any memorials that become a concern or fail a safety test which may include being sunk into the ground vertically, laid flat, cordoned off, stake and banded or other suitable support and the placement of a warning marker. The Council will endeavour to inform the Rights Holder to the grave or last known contact or any person who can satisfy the Clerk to the Council that they are a relative of the person buried in the grave or is acting at the request of such a relative, of safety measures undertaken. The Rights Holder or other person noted by the Council is responsible for authorising the repairs by a BRAMM accredited mason and settling the invoice issued by them.
When necessary, the Council may instruct a BRAMM accredited mason to remove from the Cemetery any memorial which it considers to be dangerous or where no person has arranged repairs in a reasonable time period, in accordance with provisions of Section 3(1) of the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977. If this course of action needs to take place and the Grant Holder/Relative has been contacted by the Council, then that Grant Holder/Relative WILL BE invoiced by the Council for the work carried out.
Decorations and Planting:
Whilst the Council understands that the burial of loved ones is a very emotive issue, placement of unauthorised memorabilia creates a series of issues for local authorities including issues with grass cutting, ground maintenance; as well as health and safety issues for stonemasons and coffin bearers.
Types of unauthorised memorabilia we respectively ask NOT to be placed include:
* Placing of kerb edgings;
* Solar Lighting;
* Flags;
* Balloons;
* Wind Chimes;
* Lanterns;
* Soft Toys;
* Statues;
* Photographs;
* Football Scarves;
* Wooden Crosses;
* Windmills;
* Gnomes;
* Shrubs and Trees;
* Alcoholic cans/Bottles;
* Any glass objects.
As of implementation of this policy such items SHALL BE REMOVED BY THE COUNCIL.
The person responsible for tending the grave shall be responsible for the good condition of any flowers/grass/wreaths. However, the Council shall have the right, without notice, to remove any flowers or wreaths, at any time when, in its opinion, they have become unsightly or when necessary for the purpose of reopening a grave or when work is carried out to a memorial.
Due to the Council`s responsibility for the safety of memorials, the planting of any shrub, tree, or conifer is NOT permitted as, over time, the roots continue to grow and could eventually undermine the foundation of a memorial thereby affecting its stability.
Cut flowers and wreaths placed on graves shall be allowed to remain in situ until they are deemed unsightly upon which occurrence they will be removed by the Council.
No flowers, flower pots, artificial wreaths or any other articles shall NOT be removed or taken from the Cemetery without prior permission of the Council. Dead flowers, wreaths, weeds and other matter taken off graves must be deposited in the refuse bins on site.
Should any grave in the view of the Council become untidy/neglected or contains any unauthorised memorials such as fences, kerbs or edgings, on or around the grave, where possible the Council will notify the noted grave owner that that these should be removed within one (1) month. If this notice is NOT complied with , the Council may remove such items, which will be stored by the Council for a further one (1) month. These items will be disposed of after this period if NOT collected.
Due to the Council`s responsibility to maintain the grass, the placing of any stone chippings is NOT permitted as they could cause injury to the staff or visitors or damage a memorial. The placing of wooden and plastic fencing or loose chippings are NOT permitted.
Christmas wreaths shall be removed from the Cemetery by the Council on or around the 21st February each year (unless removed prior to this date by the grave owner).
Cremated Remains Plots:
Each plot shall normally accommodate the interment of four (4) cremated remains.
Cremated remains MUST be held in a container designed for the purpose of burial and approved by the Funeral Director. The container MUST have the full name of the deceased clearly visible.
Memorials placed on cremated remains plots shall be constructed on the following basis:
* A foundation of paviour measuring 914mm (36″) x 610mm (24″) ;
* Any memorial shall be a granite sloping polished tablet measuring 508mm (20″) x 508mm (20″) x 102mm (4″) x 51mm (2″) and placed upon the foundation in a position agreed with the Monumental Mason.
Any flower containers should be positioned at the top of the tablet.
All flowers, wreaths and other items MUST be contained within the cremation plot, and NOT encroach on any land or adjoining cremation plot.
Lettering shall be inscribed on the sloping face and front edge only (this will include any future inscriptions for subsequent interments). Photographs can be incorporated, however all pictures/wording MUST be stated in the written application from the accredited Memorial Mason.
No further inscriptions will be allowed on the edges of the memorials other than on the back facing side of the memorial which shall be inscribed with the stone mason`s name in discrete lettering no more than 25mm (1″) in height.
Memorial Seats
Memorial seats are subject to the availability of a suitable location and the approval of the Council. Those who may wish to purchase a bench to place in the Cemetery should contact the Council.
Section 7:
COMMENTS, COMPLIMENTS and COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE:
The Council operates its own comments, compliments and complains procedure, details of which are available from the Council (The Council`s Standard Complaints Procedure applies in ALL cases).