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Cemetery guidelines

Part 3 - Interment

  1. Notice of Interment

    1. 9.1. Notice of a proposed burial must be given to the Burial Authority by completing a Notice of Interment form (obtainable from the Bereavement Services Office) as early as possible, and in any event not less than three working days, prior to the Interment. The Registrar's Certificate for Burial/Cremation must accompany all Notice of Interment Forms.
    2. 9.2. The three working days' notice, as stated in paragraph 9.1, does not apply to Muslim burials. Details for Muslim burials are available on request from the Bereavement Services Office.
    3. 9.3. All burials must take place between:
      1. a. BST Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 3:00pm. Friday 9:30am to 2:30pm
      2. b. GMT Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 2:30pm. Friday 9:30am to 2pm

  2. Burial Authority Authorisation

    1. 10.. Upon receipt of a completed Notice of Interment form and the Registrar's Certificate for Burial/Cremation form, the Burial Authority must authorise the proposed burial before any funeral arrangements are publicly announced.

  3. Grave location

    1. 11. Unless the deceased is to be interned pursuant to an Exclusive Right of Burial, the Burial Authority shall specify the grave location.

  4. Proof of Exclusive Right of Burial

    1. 12. If the deceased is to be interred pursuant to an Exclusive Right of Burial, the Grant Holder must prove their identity to the Burial Authority as the Grant Holder of that Exclusive Right of Burial before the interment can take place.

  5. Coffin Dimensions

    1. 13. The exact size of the coffin, casket or container, including handles, must be given in writing to the Bereavement Office as soon as possible and no later than two working days before the Interment.

  6. Grave Dimensions

    1. 14.1. The maximum depth of a grave shall not be greater than 9 feet and no burial shall be made without there being at least 2 feet 6 inches of soil between the ordinary surface of the ground and the upper side of the coffin. In a grave not exceeding:
      1. a. 7 feet in depth, not more than two (2) adult coffins shall be interred
      2. b. 9 feet in depth, not more than three (3) adult coffins shall be interred
    2. 14.2. To ensure Health and Safety requirements are complied with, the Burial Authority reserves the right to determine the maximum depth of a grave depending upon soil conditions.
    3. 14.3. Only Approved Contractors may be used to dig graves.

  7. Burial Register

    1. 15. The relevant certificate(s) for the Interment of the body issued by the Registrar and/or Coroner shall be produced to an officer of the Burial Authority prior to interment so an entry can be made in the burial register. Failure to produce the relevant certificate(s) will result in the Interment being delayed until such certificate(s) is produced.

  8. Bearing of Coffin

    1. 16. The Funeral Director is responsible for conducting the coffin to the grave in accordance with standards of safe practice and orderliness acceptable to the Burial Authority; and providing enough bearers to lower the coffin.

  9. Temporary Removal of Memorial

    1. 17.1. The Grant Holder is responsible for the removal and re-fixing of a memorial in connection with a burial and may only use Approved Contractors for this purpose.
    2. 17.2. From 1st April 2020 there will be an administration charge for the permission to erect and re-erect a memorial on all plots in all cemeteries.

 

Prev : Part 2 - Exclusive Right of Burial Next : Part 4 - Cremation
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