- Graves/Ashes plots need to be kept flat with no kerbs, mounds or extensions to the plot size in order that it may be looked after without undue labour costs. Surrounds or coverings of any kind (chippings, pebbles and stones, small fencing, etc) must not be placed around or over the grave/ashes plot. These make it impossible to mow the site. The permitted place in front of the headstone is 30cms (1 foot) for floral tributes.
- A marker should be placed on the grave at the time of burial, by the Funeral Director so that headstones can be placed on the correct graves. The Funeral Director should contact the Churchyard Manager to organise this.
- To allow the grave to settle, nine months need to elapse before a grave can be levelled, grassed and a headstone installed.
- The form of memorial on a grave should be a vertical headstone which needs to be set in a concrete shoe below ground level.
- The acceptable size of a vertical headstone is no more than 75cms (2ft 6ins) high, 70cms (2ft 3”) wide and 10cms (4 inches) thick.
- The headstone may incorporate a receptacle for a flower vase. There can be provision for no more than one such vase. Where it incorporates a receptacle for a flower vase, the base should not project more than 20cm (8in) beyond the face of the vertical stone.
- A memorial tablet for an ashes plot should be no more than 23cm x 23cm x 5cm (9” x 9” x 2”) and if placed on an existing grave should be set flush to the ground to allow for mowing. A bronze plaque 7”x 6” set on a 23cm x 23cm x 5cm (9” x 9”x 2”) stone is also allowed. Please note that permanent markers of ashes plots in plastic are not allowed in the churchyard and will be removed.
- The chosen stone for headstones and memorials in our churchyard is Nabresina, or Portland stone (stone must not be darker than Nabresina). Please note that marble and granite are NOT now permitted.
- The headstone/memorial may not have a highly polished reflective finish
- The inscription on the memorial contains at least:
the name of the deceased;
the date of his or her death;
the date of birth or the age at death,
and any factual material in the inscription must be accurate
All inscriptions and any artwork which is incised into the stone should be in black
- The memorial contains no advertisement or trademark other than the name or mark of the mason which, if included, shall be at the base of the side or rear face of the stone and no more than 13mm (0.5in) high.
- The Funeral Director/Stone Mason will consult the Minister for permission to install a headstone. A fee for placing the memorial will be charged, as set out by the Church of England.
- Headstones incorporating a heart or a book design are not allowed without special permission (a faculty) from the Chancellor. Other designs on a memorial stone may also not be allowed and all designs have to be agreed in advance by the Minister.
- Breakable and non-biodegradable items such as artificial flowers (including silk flowers with plastic stems), plastic ornaments, photographs, candles, solar panels, wind chimes, balloons, jars and toys are not permitted.
- Trees and shrubs must not be planted on or around graves/ashes plots. Bulbs may be planted as these will not prevent mowing and maintenance.
- Ashes to be interred should be loose in the grave or in a biodegradable container.
- Scattering of ashes within the churchyard is not permitted.
- Plots may not be purchased in advance. The purchase and installation of memorial benches to be agreed in advance with the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and will require a faculty before they can be placed. The PCC may remove any benches that have not had permission to be placed in the churchyard.
- Any floral arrangements, including wreaths, will be removed when they become unsightly.
- Please place all biodegradable material on the compost heap in the centre of the churchyard. All other rubbish may be put in the bins adjacent to the Church.
- A search of the Burial records may be made by appointment with the Churchyard Manager. An appropriate fee will be charged for this service.
- ‘Minister’ means the Incumbent (Vicar) of the parish in which the churchyard is situated or, where rights of presentation are suspended, the Curate licensed to the charge of that parish or the minister acting as Priest-in-Charge. If the Parish is in vacancy, then the requests will be sent to the Archdeacon for agreement.