Permitted Memorial Sizes, Types and Materials, March 2020

GRAVESTONES, MEMORIALS, MONUMENTS

Details of all proposed gravestones, memorials and monuments, including full detail of intended inscriptions, must be given to the Recorder at least fourteen days prior to procurement.

The number of the grave corresponding with the Burial Register shall be inscribed on the rear base of all monuments, headstones and memorials.

For a period not exceeding 2 years after interment, a wooden cross or stake may be erected at the head of a grave subject to the following specification:

a) The overall dimensions of the cross shall not exceed three feet (0.91metres) in height and two feet nine inches (0.84 metres) in width.

b) The cross shall be constructed of a good quality hardwood of four-inch (100mm) square sections, half-jointed and secured.

c) The stake shall consist of good quality hardwood of four-inch (100mm) by two-inch (50mm) cross-section and shall not exceed three-feet (0.91m) in height above mean ground level when installed.

d) Any plate attached to the cross or stake for inscription purposes is not to exceed four inches (100mm) in depth and must be installed such that no part of the plate extends beyond the timber to which it is attached.

Note - When a headstone, monument or memorial is taken down to facilitate interment, it shall be re-erected at the expense of the owner to the satisfaction of the Board.

HEADSTONE SPECIFICATION

a) The material shall be of natural stone with the front face polished.

b) The maximum size of the headstone shall be:

 Height and thickness – 2 feet 8 inches (813mm) by 4 inches (100mm);

 Width – 2 feet 8 inches (813mm)

c) The maximum size of the base shall be;

 Base width and thickness – 2 feet 10 inches (864mm) by 4 inches (101mm);
Base front to back – 1 foot (305mm).

d) The vase / vase holder to be incorporated into the base.

e) The whole to be erected on a rectangular foundation measuring at a maximum   3 feet (914mm) by 2 feet (610mm) by 2 inches (50mm). Such foundation shall not be visible when the ground is restored to mean ground level following installation.

f) The overall height of the memorial including the base and headstone shall not exceed 3 feet (914mm). 

g) If it is required, an additional base can be provided within the outline of the existing rectangular foundation to a maximum thickness of 4 inches (101mm).  This additional base must however, be accommodated within the maximum overall height measurement of 3 feet (914mm).

h) The memorial must be installed and fitted in accordance with the National Association of Memorial Masons’ Code of Working Practice (as amended) and must be assembled using a suitably accredited ground anchor as detailed in Section 3.2 of the Code of Working Practice and to the satisfaction of the Recorder.

9 CREMATED REMAINS

Memorials on spaces set aside for the interment of cremated remains shall be:

a) Made of natural stone with the front face polished.
b) Measure 15 inches (375mm) by 20 inches (500mm) to be set as a wedge shaped cremation memorial slab at ordinary ground level.

Areas set aside by the Board for the interment of cremated remains shall be maintained in as lawn and neither crosses, nor headstones, chippings or similar materials are permitted to be erected or laid in such areas.

10. REPAIRS TO HEADSTONES

All private graves and memorials must be kept in good repair by the successive owners of the right to interment. In the event of repair being deemed necessary, one month’s notice will be given and, if no action is taken by the owner, the repair will be carried out by the Board at the expense of the owner.

11. STONEMASONS 

Stonemasons employed in erecting or repairing memorials in the Cemetery will be held responsible for any damage caused to memorials or the grounds.

Masons must inform the Recorder of the type of work to be carried out. Additionally, the Recorder must be kept informed of any movement of materials or memorials into or out of the Cemetery.

No hewing or dressing of stones will be permitted within the Cemetery curtilage and masons must accept responsibility for the removal of debris.

All reasonable care must be taken by persons working in the cemetery when erecting memorials. The Recorder will require precautions to be taken to protect grass, turf and pathways and all damage must be made good.

Approved at the meeting of the Board on the 17th March 2020

 

To be reviewed March 2021