Churchyard Regulations

TOMBSTONES OR MONUMENTS

1. The strict right of a parishioner in the churchyard is confined to that of interment. The erection of a memorial over a grave, though now customary, remains a privilege, and strictly speaking nothing may be introduced into a churchyard without the authority of the Chancellor in the form of a faculty.

2. In practice the Chancellor has delegated this authority to the incumbent who (subject to paragraph 3) may normally grant permission for the erection of a simple upright memorial made of natural stone or hardwood. If there is no incumbent or priest-in- charge because of a vacancy, applications should be referred to the rural dean. Churchwardens have no authority to give permission for the introduction of memorials into the churchyard.

3. The Chancellor has directed that no memorial which is:-

   1. made of marble
   2. made of polished stone
   3. made of painted stone
   4. more than 4 feet in height
   5. incorporates an image or statue

   may be erected in any churchyard in the Diocese without his authority. This does not preclude the polishing of a small area to take an inscription. Applications for the erection of such memorials should be referred to the Registrar of the Diocese in the first instance. Permission will be given only if there are extraordinary reasons which justify this.

4. If an incumbent is uncertain whether or not to give permission for the erection of a particular memorial the matter should be referred to the Diocesan Registrar.

5. No memorial may be erected in a churchyard until particulars of the material to be used, together with a drawing of its design and size, and the exact wording of the inscription, have been submitted to the incumbent and approved by him in writing, or, if need be, by the Chancellor. The order should not be given until this approval has been obtained.

6. The construction of a brick-lined vault in a churchyard requires the authority of a Faculty. Such a Faculty will be granted only if there are exceptional reasons why burial in a brick-lined vault, as opposed to the normal form of earth burial, should be permitted. If there are such reasons, the Chancellor will require an assurance (a) that any memorial to be erected over the vault will comply with diocesan and local churchyard regulations, and (b) that a fund to pay for future maintenance will be established if the Faculty is granted.

TOMBSTONES OR MEMORIALS

1. Procedure for the Introduction of Memorials

   Permission must be obtained for the introduction of any memorial. Simple upright headstones in respect of burials may be authorised by the incumbent in accordance with the terms and conditions given below; but other types of memorial, including grave markers such as horizontal ledgers, sculpture and crosses, must be authorised by the Chancellor under Faculty. Applications for specially designed and appropriate memorials will be sympathetically considered by the Chancellor.

   Every application to erect a memorial, or place anything whatsoever, or to do any works, in the churchyard should be made in writing to the incumbent, in the first instance, with a full description of the proposed work. Written permission to erect a memorial must be obtained from the incumbent before accepting an estimate or otherwise entering into a contract with a funeral director, stonemason or craftsman. A minimum period of six months should normally elapse between the interment of a person to be commemorated and the approval of a memorial by the incumbent (exercising delegated authority).

2. Dimensions of Headstone

   Headstones should be no larger than 1200mm (4ft) high, measured from the surface of the ground, 900mm (3ft) wide and 150mm (6in) thick. They should be no less than 75mm (3in) thick. (The metric equivalents given are slightly less than the Imperial dimensions, but are recommended for use by the National Association of Master Masons.)

3. Base and Foundation Slab

   A headstone may stand on a stone base, provided that it is an integral part of the design and does not project more than 50mm (2in) beyond the headstone in any direction. Due regard should be paid to the nature of the ground and the problem of settlement. Ideally, headstones should be long enough to be inserted directly into the ground at sufficient depth to ensure stability, or supported by a pre-cast concrete shoe.

4. Materials

   All memorials should be made of natural stone with non-reflecting finish, or of hardwood. Stones traditionally used in local buildings, or stones closely similar to them in colour and texture, are to be preferred. Black, grey, blue or red igneous rock (e.g. red granite) and slate, marble, synthetic stone or plastic are not permitted.

5. Sculpture

   Figure sculpture and other statuary is not prohibited, but must be authorised by Faculty.

6. Designs

   Memorials need not be restricted to a rectangular shape, and curved tops are preferable to straight-edged ones. Memorials in the shape of a heart or book are not permitted other than by faculty, nor are photographs, porcelain portraits, kerbs, railings, chains, chippings or glass shades. Individually designed memorials are to be encouraged.

7. Epitaphs

   Inscriptions must be simple and reverent, and may include felicitous quotations from literary sources. Inscriptions should be incised, or in relief, and may be painted. Plastic, lead, or other inserted lettering should not be used. Additions may be made to an inscription at a later date following a subsequent interment in the same grave or for other suitable reason. However, any such alteration must be separately approved. The lettering, layout and wording must be consistent with the original inscription.

8. Trademarks

   No advertisement or trademark should be inscribed on a headstone. The mason's name may be inscribed at the side or on the reverse in unpainted letters, no larger that 13mm (0.5in).

9. Flowers

   Wreaths, plants or cut flowers may be placed either in a removable container (which must be sunk completely into the ground) or laid on any grave, but they must be removed as soon as they appear to be withered. The Church Wardens will exercise their right to remove any such plants, and those placed in contravention of these regulations. No artificial flowers are permitted, except for Remembrance Day poppies and traditional Christmas wreaths and these must be removed after a period of not more than one month from Remembrance Sunday and Christmas Day respectively. Bulbs and small plants may be planted in the soil of any grave. No permanent container for flowers and plants may be added to a plot where cremated remains have been interred.

10. Churchyard Maintenance

    The surface of the churchyard should be kept free from grave mounds and as level as possible, so that the grass may be easily cut by a mower. Grave mounds will normally be levelled after twelve months.

    Memorials remain the property of the person or persons responsible for their erection, who are also responsible for their maintenance.

    No non-biodegradeable materials are to be placed on the churchyard compost heap.

    Dogs are to be kept on a lead at all times. Owners are responsible for ensuring their animals do not foul the churchyard.

BURIALS

11. Rights to Burial

    There is now no further space for new graves, whether for parishioners or otherwise. A person may be buried in the churchyard in the grave of a grandparent, parent, child, spouse, or sibling where the deceased is unmarried (subject to Home Office regulations on the minimum required depth of earth for a subsequent burial).

12. Burial of Cremated Remains

    Cremated remains (either loose or in a wooden casket) may be buried in an existing family grave. The remains may be buried in the grave of a grandparent, parent, spouse, child, or sibling, where the deceased was unmarried. The erection of a separate memorial tablet on the grave is not permitted, but an additional inscription on an existing memorial may be permitted. Where there is no headstone on the existing grave, a new headstone may be erected in accordance with these regulations, provided that the inscription includes reference to the original burial(s), and not to the cremated remains alone. Where an additional inscription cannot be made on an existing memorial (e.g. because of lack of space) the person may commemorated in the memorial book in the church.

    Otherwise, cremated remains (which must be loose - that is, not in any container) may only be buried in the area set aside for the purpose by faculty. The cremated remains of parishioners, and those dying in the parish may be buried in the area set aside by faculty. For the purposes of these regulations, "parishioner" shall include a person not living in the parish whose name was entered on the Church Electoral Roll at the time of death, and who was still entitled to be so entered by virtue of continuing attendance at worship in the parish church. It may also include a person who has lived in the parish for most of his or her life, but has recently moved away. Memorial stones of any kind are not permitted in this area, but the name of the person will be entered in a memorial book kept on display in the church. Cut flowers only may be placed in the area to mark anniversaries. No permanent plant pots or containers may be introduced into the area.

13. Closure of the Churchyard

    When the churchyard has been closed by Order in Council, the interment of cremated remains will continue to be permitted as set out in paragraph 12 of these regulations. Full burials will only be permitted in existing family graves, as set out in paragraph 11.