Churchyard Rules
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Monuments or tomb stones conforming exactly with the following provisions may be introduced into a churchyard with the written permission of the Incumbent (or Priest-in-Charge, Team Vicar or Rural Dean where the benefice is vacant).
i) No headstone may be erected within 1200mm (4 feet) of the outer wall of the church or of any other building attached thereto.
ii) A headstone shall be no more than 1200mm (4 feet) high, measured from the surface of the ground, 900mm (3 feet) wide and 150mm (6 inches) thick and no less than 750mm (2 feet 6 inches) high, 500mm (1 foot 8 inches) wide and 75mm (3 inches) thick. Slate memorials may be thinner than 75mm (3 inches) but no less that 38mm (1½ inches).
iii) A base forming an integral part of the design of the headstone may be permitted provided that it does not project more than 100mm (4 inches) beyond the headstone in any direction, save that where a receptacle for flowers is provided the receptacle shall be flush with the top of the base and may extend up to 200mm (8 inches) in front of the headstone. In all cases, due regard must be paid to the nature of the ground and the problem of settlement.
iv) Any burial without a headstone may have a horizontal stone ledger 225mm (9 inches) square set flush with the turf and bearing a number referenced to a plan kept in the church safe. The said plan shall be produced to the Archdeacon, or to such person authorised in writing in that behalf by me or by the Diocesan Registrar, on reasonable notice given to the Incumbent, Priest-in-Charge, Team Vicar or Rural Dean as the case may be.
v) Receptacles for flowers shall not be more than 300 x 200 x 200mm (12 x 8 x 8 inches). If the receptacle for flowers is not an integral part of the design of the headstone, it must consist of a removable container sunk completely into the ground.
vi) Where a part of the churchyard has been set aside for the burial of cremated remains:
a) no monument or receptacle for flowers may be introduced into that area except in accordance with the terms of the Faculty setting the area apart; and
b) the erection of a memorial following the interment of cremated remains may only be within that area.
vii) Except as stated in (viii) below, monuments may be of hardwood or natural indigenous stone or slate. Stones other than those traditionally used in local buildings, or stones in conflict with the stone of the church, may not be used. The stone shall not be mirror polished in any way so as to reflect.
viii) A monument shall not be of black, blue or red granite nor of all polished granite of whatever colour nor of white marble, synthetic stone or plastic.
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ix) A monument shall not include chippings (whether of stone or otherwise) or glass shades, or any kerb, railing or chain, or any picture, portrait or photograph, or any statuary, bird bath or (save in accordance with (iii) above) any built-in vase container.
x) Every monument shall be simple in shape. In particular (save by leave of a Faculty) a monument shall not be in the shape of a cross, heart or book.
xi) Inscriptions must be simple and reverent and any literary quotation must be appropriate to its use within the context of a Christian burial ground. All inscriptions shall be inscribed or in relief; they may be painted a shade lighter or darker than the natural colour of the stone but may not be leaded or gilded. No plastic or inserted lettering may be used.
xii) Any addition to, or amendment of, an inscription must be the subject of a separate permission and must conform to the above rules as well as being consistent with the original inscription.
xiii) No advertisement or trademark may be inscribed upon the monument although the name of the mason may be inscribed at the side or on the back in unleaded letters no larger than 13mm (½ inch) in height.
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