Memorial and heritage information

We recognise the importance of memorials as they are a lasting symbol of remembrance and they reflect individuality. It is therefore important that the design and the firm producing it are carefully chosen.

There is no urgency in choosing a memorial.  Looking at existing memorials in the cemetery may help you to make a decision. A reputable mason will be pleased to design an individual memorial with you.

Many people nowadays are not aware of the meanings of memorial designs. For example, if you see a broken column on a memorial, this signifies life cut short. If you are interested in more examples, you may wish to visit our page on memorial symbolism.

You may like to purchase a wooden cross to mark a grave where there is no permanent memorial. Please download the application form here(pdf, 22KB), complete it and return it to the Cemetery Office.

Inscriptions

We welcome personalisation of inscriptions, by using nicknames or colloquial terms such as Dad, as long as they are not offensive. An owner may request that an inscription be put on the memorial of a person who is not buried in the grave. This is permissible, providing we are informed of where the person is buried or cremated, so our records are not conflicting.

Materials

We encourage creative memorials and the use of different types of materials, such as wood. Some restrictions, however, are necessary, such as prohibiting the use of glass, whether as vases, jam jars or bottles. This is because the water can freeze, breaking the glass, which then becomes dangerous. We do allow photo-plaques incorporated in the memorial. Plastic fencing is not allowed as it impedes maintenance and can be broken very easily, which may cause upset.

When can a memorial be placed on the grave?

On a new grave, natural settlement will take place after a burial. The cemetery staff will add topsoil to the grave until settlement ceases. It is hard to say how long this will take, but we advise leaving at least six to twelve months before erecting a full memorial on a new grave. This allows the grave to settle and will aid to the stability of the memorial. When an existing grave is used in the future, any memorial on that grave will be replaced approximately six months after the burial date. If there was no memorial on a grave which has been reopened, this should again be left for approximately six to twelve months before any new memorial is erected.

Who can authorise work to a memorial?

Where the registered grave owner is alive, they must sign a memorial permit application form(pdf, 30KB). If the owner is deceased, and work such as renovation and/or an additional inscription to the deceased owner is to be carried out, then the next of kin can authorise this without a transfer.

If there is no memorial on the grave, or the existing memorial is to be altered in some way, then a new owner must be registered. Please see our information on the transfer of grave ownership.

Access to graves

Sometimes a grave may need to be re-opened and, to be able to excavate the grave, nearby memorials may need to be moved. There are several reasons for moving nearby memorials; they are:

• To gain access
• To protect the memorial from damage
• To protect cemetery operatives from potential health and safety risk.
• To avoid delays to funerals, prior notice may not be given.