5.7 Memorials
5.7.1 Memorial Erection
A permit must be obtained from the administration office prior to the erection of any headstone, memorial, or the cutting of any additional inscription. The Council reserves the right to refuse the erection of any headstone if the base or headstone is not of the specified type. A fee will be applicable for each permit obtained
No operation of any kind shall be permitted inside the ground without the prior written consent of both the grave owner and Bereavement Services
All works carried out on monuments must be done by a registered and approved monumental mason and in accordance with the Council’s Monumental Masons’ Registration Scheme. A list of approved masons is available from the administration office
The Council shall have the power to remove any memorial placed in a cemetery or the crematorium without the necessary authority
Memorials may be of any colour
Headstones shall be fixed in a manner approved by the Council’s Monumental Masons’ Registration Scheme. All established headstones requiring to be re-fixed, shall be re-fixed with NAMM type fixings and secured with bonding. New headstones shall be fixed to a concrete base with NAMM type fixing secured with bonding. After burial at a grave, no headstone can be erected until at least six months after the date of interment, to allow for ground settlement, unless if agreed otherwise by the Bereavement Services Manager
Monumental Masons shall be required to take all necessary precautions to protect the grass, trees, plants, walls, paths and adjacent memorials vaults from damage, and the area shall be completely cleared of materials, tools and rubbish when work is not in progress. Any damage caused shall be made good at the mason’s expense. Old grave bases must be removed from the cemetery grounds and responsibly disposed of. No redundant bases from memorials removed should be left in the cemetery
The grave and compartment number must be inscribed on the base of the headstone.
Monuments and headstones and other memorials must be prepared ready for fixing before being taken into the cemetery. Materials or tools may not be stored or left within the cemetery on completion of the work.
Memorial approved headstones may include cameos or photographs.
Religious symbols of any materials are not allowed (such as wooden crosses).
Acceptable memorial dimensions -
The following are the maximum memorial dimensions, these must not be exceeded. (If the dimensions are exceeded the memorial will not be authorised and/or be permitted to be installed). If any headstone is erected over this size, the Council holds the right to notify the deed holder and remove such headstones.
Normal adult headstones
Shall not exceed 3ft (36in in height (inclusive of base), 2ft (24in) in width (plate size) and 4in in thickness (plate size).
Base - height max 4”, width 30”, depth 12”.
Baby headstones
Shall not exceed 21 inches in height (inclusive of 3” base), Plate height (not including base) 18”. 15 inches in width
(plate size) and 3 inches in thickness (plate size).
Base - height max 3”, width 18”, depth 10”
Desk Tablet Memorials
20” high x 12” wide x 4” deep
Base: 3” high x 22” wide x 14” deep
Book Style Memorials
24” high x 18” wide x 4” deep
Base: 4” high x 30” wide x 18” deep
All memorials must be installed on a suitable regulation sub base.
5.7.2 Loss or Damage
Memorials are placed at the owner’s own risk. The Council is not responsible for loss or damage done to any grave space or memorial or injury to any person within the cemetery or crematorium, except where such damage is proved to be directly attributable to the negligence of the Council or their employees.
The right holder has the right to insure the headstone against damage or vandalism.
5.7.3 Removal of Memorials
No memorial or part of a memorial shall be removed from a cemetery or the crematorium without written approval of the Council being first obtained. Acceptance of a booking for a burial shall be considered consent to remove a memorial from the grave to be opened.
5.7.4 Unsafe and Neglected Memorials
The grave owner shall maintain memorials in a safe condition. The Council reserve the right to repair or remove any memorials which they consider unsafe and to pass any costs on to the grave owner in question. Some memorials which pose an immediate risk and pose a hazard to cemetery visitors may be laid down on the grave. The grave owner will not be notified this action has taken place and the Council accepts no liabilities for this action taking place.
5.7.5 Hours of Work
All work in connection with the fixing of restoration of monuments or other memorials must be carried out during the ordinary working hours of the cemetery staff (see 4.1 Crematorium hours not cemetery). Except with the written consent of the Bereavement Services Manager, no memorials shall be fixed or restored on a Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday or any other public holiday when the cemeteries are closed for interments.