Memorials in Churchyards
last updated on: 30th Mar 2012
The Chancellor of the Diocese has issued Regulations concerning churchyards and Gardens of Remembrance
They include detailed guidance on: -
1. Memorials which may be authorised by incumbents without a faculty under delegated powers from the Chancellor
2. Memorials for which a faculty is required
3. Designs and features not permitted
4. Flowers
5. Gardens of Remmbrance: -
- Creation
- Memorial plaques
- Re-use
The full set of Regulations can be downloaded here. Alternatively, shorter summary notes for Clergy and Families have been produced.
A. Installing a memorial in a churchyard
If you wish to apply to install a memorial that is entirely consistent with the Regulations, you should complete the form either in Word or pdf format and then send it to the local priest of the churchyard concerned.
If your proposed memorial is in any way not consistent with the Regulations, you should use this application form in either Word format or pdf format and send it, accompanied by the fee of £174.40 (as at 1 January 2012) {cheques payable to Latham and Co} to: -
Mr T H Kirkman
Diocesan Registrar
Latham and Co
Charnwood House
2 Forest Road
Loughborough
LE11 3NP
T: 01509 238822
E: Diocesan Registrar
B. Reservation of Gravespaces (for burial)
If you wish to reserve a gravespace in a churchyard, complete this application form, in Word format or pdf format, and send it to the Diocesan Registrar.
C. Gardens of Remembrance
Any PCC wishing to create or extend a Garden of Remembrance should read the relevant section in the Churchyard Regulations and then make an application for Advice or a Certificate from the DAC using the appropriate form available on the Faculty Procedures page of the DAC section of this website.
The DAC will want to know: - where the Garden of Remembrance will be located (or extended to); how it will be demarked; details of the Book of Remembrance that will be in the church (and where it will go and its display case); whether there will be a marker stone (and, if so, details of its type, size, location and inscription).
D. Churchyards Maintenance and Safety
Guidance has been issued on Churchyards Maintenance and Safety. The guidance can be seen here.
The Leicester Diocesan Chancellor has issued guidance on memorial safety in churchyards and public cemeteries following recent developments, which can be downloaded here.
The Local Government Ombudsman has also produced a report on Memorial Safety in Cemeteries, which can be downloaded here. In addition, the Ministry of Justice has also produced guidance on this subject, which can be found here.
English Heritage has also now produced guidance on maintaining historic graveyard / cemetery monuments which can be downloaded here.
E. Other documents that might be helpful: -
Burial sites - Guidance on their re-use
