The Churchyard Regulations

 

This consecrated burial ground of a Church of the Church of England is subject to legal

control by the Chancellor of the Diocese on behalf of the Bishop. No ground can be bought or

sold, all grave spaces remain the property of the Church of England.

No memorials may be erected, or any works undertaken, in a churchyard except by written

authorisation or faculty. The fact that there is a similar memorial – which does not comply

with these Regulations – in a churchyard does not mean that the new memorial may be

approved by the minister.

 

Anything placed on a grave in memory of a loved one is defined as a memorial (apart from

flowers), including statues, ornaments, memorabilia, etc. which are NOT permitted unless

written permission is obtained from the Minister.

 

HEADSTONE TYPES AND DIMENSIONS

A simple vertical headstone not exceeding 3ft high, measured from the surface of the

ground, 2ft 6 inches wide and 3 inches thick with a plinth supporting the memorial not

exceeding 12 inches from front to back and projecting not more than 2 inches beyond the

back and not more than 3 inches beyond the sides of the memorial.

Memorial headstones should be simple and be consistent with nearby memorials and the

setting of the churchyard. 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 are

generally not permitted.

 

MEMORIAL STONES FOR CREMATED REMAINS

A simple memorial stone, placed horizontally in the ground, sunk so that its surface does not

impeded a mower passing over it. Such a memorial must not exceed 12 inches x 9 inches. A

single stone vase 6 inches square is permitted. Statues are not permitted.

 

EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS

Inscriptions must be simple and reverent and must receive the prior written approval of the

minister. Additions may be made to inscriptions at a later date, for example following

subsequent interments in the same grave. Any such addition or alteration to an inscription

must be separately approved by the minister in writing – and the approval of all the relevant

family members.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS etc

The minister does NOT have authority to approve the use of a photograph or an inscribed

portrait or other representation of the deceased as part of a memorial or the affixing of

porcelain or plastic portraits to a memorial. Save in the most exceptional circumstances a

Faculty is unlikely to be granted.

Continued on the other side

 

MAINTAINING GRAVESPACES

Kerbs, railings, posts or chains and similar items to enclose a grave are NOT permitted.

The use of chippings, artificial grass or similar materials to cover the surface of a grave is

NOT permitted.

Spring and autumn bulbs may be planted in the soil of any grave in a position adjacent to

the headstone – but not trees, shrubs or other plants. The flowers etc of such bulbs are

liable to be mown in the ordinary course of churchyard maintenance.

The surface of the grave must be levelled and any mound removed within 6 months

of a burial having taken place. It should be levelled and turfed or seeded for grass

to allow for mowing.

 

Wreaths and floral tributes may be laid upon a grave and cut flowers arranged in metal or

stone vases placed on the memorial plinth. Additional vases of flowers, pot plants or trees

are not permitted.

 

Silk and other good quality artificial flowers are permitted. PLASTIC flowers are NOT

permitted.

 

Persons who carry out the day-to-day upkeep of the churchyard will remove wreaths, cut

flowers etc when they appear to be withered or dead. Faded or decaying artificial flowers will

be removed.

 

With the permission of the minister, up to 3 toys or similar objects may be left at the place of

burial or interment of cremated remains for a period of 12 months from the date of burial or

interment—but must be removed at the end of that period.

The minister, or a person acting on his or her behalf, may remove any objects which are not,

or have ceased to be, authorised under these regulations and which have not been

authorised by faculty.

 

CREMATED REMAINS

Cremated remains must not be scattered on the surface of the ground and must be interred

into the earth preferably without a casket or other container. Arrangements for interment

must always be made only after prior consultation with the minister.

The Churchyard Regulations