TEME VALLEY SOUTH GRAVEYARD POLICY
Introduction
Our churchyards are very special places and we wish them to be enjoyed by all visitors. We therefore try to manage our churchyards sympathetically so that everyone may enjoy the
solitude and beauty of these places, away from the pressures of modern life. It is for these reasons that we request only natural materials are used to adorn gravesides. Memorials should therefore be in harmony with the natural environment and should not appear “garish” or out of character with the beautiful surroundings of our churchyards.
The Parochial Church Council takes its stewardship of our churchyards very seriously and is charged with maintaining their natural beauty for future generations. It is for these reasons that tributes made from plastics and other artificial materials potentially damaging to local wild-life and the environment, are not permitted and may be removed by the priest in charge or the churchwardens. If in doubt, any queries or questions you may have will be happily answered by the priest in charge or the churchwardens. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.
Grave Spaces
1. It is possible to arrange for the reservation of a grave –space, although residents of the parish currently do not have to do so. For those living outside the parish a faculty
is required.
2. Reservation is arranged through a legal process which involves fees amounting to approximately £350. Any one requiring information should contact the Priest in Charge. The form of Petition can be obtained from the Diocesan Registrar, 8, Sansome Walk, Worcester WR1 1LW (01905 723561) (Shrewlett@marchedwards.co.uk)
Standards for Memorials From Diocese of Worcester – Rules for the Introduction of Churchyard Memorials.
You must first of all seek approval for your chosen memorial by filling in the form available on request from assistantpcctvspcc@gmail.com or telephoning the Rectory 01886 853286.
Or your chosen stonemason may do that for you. The form must be signed both by you and by the stonemason, and accompanied by the appropriate fee (the money raised in this way helps to pay for the maintenance of the churchyard, which after all will be the setting, in years to come, for the memorial you have chosen). Once the Vicar has considered the application, if the proposed memorial conforms with the relevant guidelines (see below), it will normally be approved without further ado. Occasionally, it may be necessary for others to be consulted: for example, where a memorial is in some way out of the ordinary. This does not necessarily mean that it will not be approved, but the approval process may take a little longer. Once a particular design has been approved, it must not be altered without further approval
If the Vicar supports it in principle, he or she will forward the proposal to the Diocesan Registrar together with a letter of support – and the proposal will then be considered the Chancellor of the Diocese; who will either grant or refuse approval (known as a “faculty”). If on the other hand the Vicar is unable to support the proposal for any reason, he or she will let you know, together with a brief statement of the reason why – and will refund the fee. You are then at liberty to apply for a faculty if you wish; the Vicar will give you the name and address of the Registrar, from whom you will be able to obtain the necessary application form. Alternatively, you may wish to discuss with the Vicar whether there is some alterative form of memorial that gives you what you are seeking but which also complies with the guidelines.
The Diocese of Worcester has provided a helpful guide which includes the Application for Consent forms. A copy can be downloaded here.
1. Dimensions of Headstones
• Headstones should be no larger than 4ft (1200mm) high measured from the surface of the ground, 3ft (900mm) wide and 6ins (150mm) thick. They should be no less than 1ft 8ins 9500mm) high, 1ft 8ins (500mm) wide, and no less than 3 ins (75mm) thick, except in the case of slate materials, which may be thinner but no less than 1 1⁄2 ins(38mm) thick.
• Horizontal slab stones not exceeding 2 ft (600mm) wide and 6ft (1800mm) length, sunk so that the surface of the whole is level and flush with the surrounding earth.
• Simple crosses not exceeding 3 ft (900mm) in height.
2. 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 4 ins (102mm) beyond the headstone in any direction, except where a receptacle for flowers is incorporated. The vase must be flush with the top of the base, which may extend up to 8 ins (200mm) in front of the headstone. The base must be fixed on a foundation slab set flush with the ground and extending from 3 ins (75mm) to 6 ins (150mm) all round so that a mower may pass freely over it. The base of a memorial may be so shaped that it can be inserted directly into the ground at sufficient depth to ensure stability.
3. Materials
• All memorials must be of natural stone with no reflecting finish, or of hardwood. Stones traditionally used in local buildings or stones similar to them in colour and texture, are to be preferred. White, green, blue or red granite are not permitted under these terms and conditions, nor synthetic stone or plastic.
• Headstones need not be restricted to a rectangular shape but memorials in the shape of a heart or a book are not permitted, nor are photographs, portraits, kerbs, railings, chains, chippings or glass shades.
4. Epitaphs
• Inscriptions must be simple and reverent, and may include appropriate quotations from literary sources. Inscriptions should be incised, or in relief, and may then be painted. Plastic lettering is not permitted
5. Sculpture
• Sculpture and other statuary can only be authorised by faculty
6. Trademarks
• No advertisement or trademark should be inscribed on a headstone. The mason’ name may be inscribed at the side in unleaded letters, no larger than 1⁄2 (13mm) in height.
7. Flowers and Vases
• Except where the design of a headstone includes an integral receptacle, any flowers must be placed in a removable container.
• Small stone vases not exceeding 12 ins (300mm) x 8ins (200mm) x 8 ins (200mm) may be permitted. Consent for these must be obtained and the appropriate fee paid.
• The use of plastic and artificial flowers is not permitted. And may be removed at the discretion of the Church Warden in consultation with the Priest in charge.
8. The Parochial Church Council may level any grave mound at its discretion at any time more than 12 months after the latest interment in the grave.
9. Prior to any headstone being erected, the person responsible for installing that stone shall make the grave free of any dip or mound
10. Commemoration after cremation and burial of ashes
• Individual memorial stones are allowed. They should be of standard material, size and design.
• Such memorial tablets may be erected horizontally and must not exceed 21 ins(520mm) x 21 ins (520mm). The total surface of a horizontal stone must be level and flush with the ground.
Unauthorised memorials
Finally, you should note that, if a memorial is erected without being approved either by the Vicar or by the chancellor of the Diocese who will order it to be removed – at the expense of whoever erected it. This applies also where approval is given for a particular memorial, but a different one is erected without further approval.
Approved: 18.09.2019
Reviewed: 23.01.2021