A BRIEF SUMMARY of THE
DIOCESAN REGULATIONS
FOR CHURCHYARD MEMORIALS
This
summary sets out in brief general terms the provisions of the Diocesan
Churchyard Regulations . Please ask for
a copy of the full Regulations – from your local Church of England minister and
the explanatory Guide .
1
No memorial
stones may be erected, or any works undertaken, in a churchyard of the Church
of England except by written authorisation or legal permission known as a
faculty as outlined below. These
Regulations describe the type of memorial that may be approved by parochial
clergy without the need for a faculty.
2
Where the details of the new memorial are
in accordance with the criteria set out in the Regulations, the written
authorisation will be given by the minister of the Parish – the vicar or rector
but not the curate.
3
No memorial (including any type of
gravestone and vases) shall be erected or placed in the churchyard until the
consent of the minister has been obtained in writing. Applications
for consent should give a full description of proposed designs, measurements,
inscriptions and type and finish of stone proposed to be used.
4
Memorials must be constructed and
installed in accordance with the Recommended Code of Working Practice issued by
the National Association of Memorial Masons and with the new British Standard.
Always check with your memorial mason that the memorial will comply with the
Code and the British Standard.
5
The minister will normally be able to
authorise the following:
Memorials
for graves
5.1
A simple vertical memorial standing on a
plinth. The normal height of a memorial should not exceed 4 feet high, measured
from the surface of the ground. A memorial with a height of more than 4 feet
will require a faculty. The maximum permitted width of memorials is 3 feet and
the maximum thickness is 6 inches.
The
plinth supporting the memorial must not exceed 12 inches from front to back and
not project more than 2 inches beyond the back and not more than 3 inches
beyond the sides of the memorial. The
overall measurements of the memorial must not exceed the dimensions referred to
above.
Always
check with the local minister the maximum dimensions of a memorial permitted in
the local churchyard.
5.2
In some instances Parishes have adopted a
scheme where memorial plaques for a person whose cremated remains are interred
in the churchyard are placed on a special wall and in such cases you should ask
the minister for details of the type and dimensions of the memorial
allowed. In other cases the only form
of memorial will be an entry in a special Book of Remembrance in Church. In both cases memorials (including vases) on
the place of interment are not permitted.
5.3
In cases where the placing of memorials on
the interment plot is permitted, you should ask the minister for details of the
type and dimensions of memorial that are permitted. A memorial exceeding 21
inches x 21inches will require a faculty
6
Memorials need not be restricted to a
rectangular shape and curved tops are preferable to straight-edged ones. The design and shape of the memorial must be
sympathetic with the church and churchyard, and with nearby memorials – a
modern memorial in an old section of churchyard will be like a sore thumb.
Heart shaped memorials are NOT
permitted under the Regulations
7
Inscriptions must be simple and
reverent. All inscriptions must
receive the prior permission of the minister. Plain cut lettering of good design is preferred. Cut letters may be picked out in paint or
gilding if appropriate to the design of the monument as a whole. Leaded letters are not permitted on new
memorials or existing memorials not previously leaded.
8
All monuments shall be made of a stone
which is harmonious with its surroundings.
Native stones traditionally used in local buildings and memorials, or
stones similar to them in colour and texture are preferred.
Such
natural unpolished stone will be insisted on in contexts such as ancient
churchyards or areas immediately surrounding traditional church buildings or
other areas of graveyards possessing a predominantly traditional, harmonious
aspect.
However,
in areas of churchyards of more recent date, imported and highly finished
stones may be commonly found and in these contexts only such
materials such as black, grey, blue and red granites (polished or unpolished)
may be permitted at the discretion of the minister.
9
Photographs
and porcelain plastic and engraved or inscribed portraits of the
deceased as part of the memorial design are NOT permitted.
10
Statuary and other
sculpture require a faculty.
11
Kerbs, railings, posts or chains and
similar items to enclose a grave are NOT permitted
12
Chippings and
similar materials to cover the surface of a grave are NOT permitted
13
Trees, shrubs and other plants
are NOT permitted
14
Artificial flowers
are permitted – but should be removed
when they fade decay or become out of season.
If you do not, the persons looking after the churchyard will need to do
so.
15
Vases
should be placed on the plinth of the memorial – or on the cremated remains tablet – NOT on the grass or soil adjoining the
memorial or tablet
16
cremated remains must not be
scattered on the surface of the ground and must be interred, preferably,
directly into the earth without a casket or other container.
17
MEMORIALS
FOR WHICH A FACULTY MUST BE OBTAINED
Applications
for memorials, the design or dimensions of which fall outside the conditions
outlined above, shall be made by means of an application for a FACULTY. The
necessary forms can be obtained from the Diocesan Registry, Friars, White
Friars, Chester CH1 1XS. Tele. 01244 321066
A. Graves do not belong to the family of the deceased – but memorials do.
B.
Exhumations
(including those of cremated remains) require a Faculty which is granted in
EXCEPTIONAL CASES only
Information
supplied by Diocese of Chester
Halton
Memorials & Co. Ltd. Cannot be held responsible for its accuracy or content