Cemetery guidelines

Memorial application

1. 
   22.1. The Grant Holder must complete an application form (obtainable from the Bereavement Services Office). This must be accompanied by a copy of the Exclusive Right of Burial deed, and receive written authorisation from the Burial Authority, before any memorial may be erected in a Cemetery or inscription placed on a memorial.
2. 22.2.a.The Burial Authority reserves the right to remove any memorials not authorised by the Burial Authority after 21 days notice.
3. 22.2.b. Removed memorials will be kept at the Cemeteries Office for 60 days for collection. If not collected within this time they will be disposed of.

Memorial Dimensions

1. 23. Memorials must not exceed the following maximum dimensions:
   1. 23.1. Full grave (9 foot x 4 foot) Magdalen Lawn Cemetery and lawn areas:
      • The complete installation to not be higher than 34 inches measured from the ground adjoining.
      • The foundation base must not exceed 33 inches width, 16 inches in depth and 2 inches thickness
      • The memorial base must not exceed 30 inches width, 15 inches in depth. The base must also have a minimum thickness of 3 inches and a maximum of 4 inches
      • The memorial headstone must have a maximum height of 31 inches with a thickness greater than 3 inches and a maximum of 4 inches
   2. 23.2. Memorials in Cremated Remains Sections 2 foot x 2 foot Magdalen Lawn Cemetery must not exceed the following dimensions:
      • The complete installation to not be higher than 34 inches measured from the ground adjoining.
      • The foundation base must not exceed 24 inches width, 16 inches in depth and 2 inches thickness
      • The memorial base must not exceed 23 inches width, 15 inches in depth. The base must also have a minimum thickness of 3 inches and a maximum of 4 inches
      • The memorial headstone must have a maximum height of 31 inches with a thickness greater than 3 inches and a maximum of 4 inches
   3. 23.3. Kerb sets are not permitted in Magdalen Lawn Cemetery or other cemetery lawned areas.
   4. 23.4. Kerbs sets must be erected on a solid reinforced concrete landing of the dimensions seven feet two inches by three feet two inches, which is a minimum of 2 ½ inches thick. Double kerb sets seven feet two inches by seven feet two inches, which is a minimum of 2½ inches thick. All parts of the memorial must be contained within these dimensions.
   5. 23.5. Memorials other than as outlined above, must be discussed with and approved by the Burial Authority and should be in keeping with other memorials already erected in the cemetery.
   6. 23.6. The above are the only memorials or fixtures permitted in the Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the erection of anything else on the plot is not permitted and will be removed.

Erection of memorial

1. 24.1. The erection of a memorial will be permitted only where:
   1. a. an Exclusive Right of Burial exists
   2. b. the written permission of the Burial Authority has been granted
   3. c. payment of the prescribed fee as specified in the Fees and Charges has been made to the Burial Authority
2. 24.2. All memorials, including the refixing and refurbishment of memorials, must be:
   1. a. constructed and erected:
      1. 1. in strict accordance with the size and design approved by the Burial Authority
      2. 2. by a mason who is an Approved Contractor
      3. 3. in strict accordance with the National Association of Memorial Masons Code of Working Practice or other locally agreed Agreement
   2. b. prepared ready for fixing before being taken into the Cemetery
   3. c. erected using an appropriate foundation which must not be visible above the ground and which must be to the satisfaction of the Burial Authority
   4. d. secured into the ground using a British Standard approved safe system or locally agreed system(s)
   5. e. fixed in line with adjoining memorials
3. 24.3. In the case of any departure from the approved design for which permission has been granted, the Grant Holder shall at their own expense, and to the satisfaction of the Burial Authority, carry out any work necessary to make the memorial comply with the approved design.

Approved Contractors' Conduct in Cemeteries

1. 25.While carrying out work within a Cemetery all Approved Contractor's shall ensure they:
   1. a. take all necessary precautions to protect the grass, trees, plants, walls, paths and adjacent memorials or vaults from damage. Any damage caused shall be made good at the Approved Contractor's expense
   2. b. completely remove all materials, tools, and rubbish from the Cemetery when work is not in progress

Health and Safety in Cemeteries

1. 26. On a lawn type grave any memorial vase must be incorporated in the base of the memorial.

Memorial construction

1. 27. All memorials must be able to bear continuous exposure to the weather and must not be made of the following materials:
   • artificial stone
   • terracotta
   • porcelain
   • plastic
   • polystyrene
   • any other material which in the opinion of the Burial Authority is unsuitable or incongruous with its surroundings

Memorial Identification

1. 28. The section, grave number, and the memorial mason's name must be clearly inscribed on the memorial base. This includes memorials that are removed for a second inscription or refurbishment.

Inscriptions

1. 29. Where an inscription has been cut without the prior approval of the Burial Authority the Grant Holder must, at their expense, remove the memorial and apply for the Burial Authority's approval.

Unsafe and Neglected Memorials

1. 30.1. The Grant Holder shall maintain their memorial in a safe condition, of which the Burial Authority shall be the sole judge.
2. 30.2. The Burial Authority reserves the right to notify in writing any Grant Holder if in their belief a memorial is considered unsafe. If the Grant Holder does not comply with the notice the Burial Authority shall be entitled, at the Grant Holder's expense, to revert the memorial back to a safe condition or have it removed.

Grave Maintenance

1. 31. The Burial Authority reserves the right to clear and re-instate any grave following the:
   • planting of any unsuitable gardens, trees or shrubs
   • placing of any grave furniture that is a risk to public safety or impedes the maintenance of the cemetery
   • placing of any unauthorised grave surrounds
   • placing of grave surrounds in lawn sections/cemeteries (e) placing of decorative stone chippings

Loss or Damage

1. 32. Memorials are placed at the Grant Holder's own risk. The Burial Authority is not responsible for loss or damage done to any grave space or memorial or injury to any person within the Cemetery, except where such damage is directly attributable to the negligence of the Burial Authority or its employees.

Removal of Memorials

1. 33.1 No memorial, or part of a memorial, shall be removed from a grave without written approval of the Burial Authority.
2. 33.2. The Burial Authority's approval of a proposed burial shall be considered consent to temporarily remove a memorial from the grave to be opened.

Hours of Work

1. 34. Except with the written consent of the Burial Authority, all works in connection with the erection or restoration of memorials must be carried out during the ordinary working hours of the Bereavement Office (as stated in paragraph 3.2).

Memorial Wreaths

1. 35. The Burial Authority, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to remove memorial wreaths placed upon a grave after an appropriate interval following their placement.
2. 36. Christmas wreaths will be removed on or after the 1st February each year.

Purchased memorials

• Memorial bench
• Garden of Remembrance shrubs and roses with plaque/s
• Above ground vaults and Buxton benches
• Chapel of Remembrance wall plaques
• Sandstone Tower
• Kerbsets
• Memorial trees
• And any new or added memorial options