Download - Hannah Park Cemetery Retford Road Cemetery Retford Cemetery · Hannah Park Cemetery Retford Road Cemetery Retford Cemetery . ... Woodland Section, ... Indemnity and Application in

http://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/docs/Rules and Regulations - Version 3.doc

Date January 2013 Version: 3

Hannah Park Cemetery Retford Road Cemetery

Retford Cemetery

http://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/docs/Rules and Regulations - Version 3.doc 2

INFORMATION

The Council manages and maintains 4 Cemeteries and 12 Closed Churchyards. The Council will excavate all graves prior to a burial and backfill immediately after the burial. Re-turfing will take place as soon as is practicable to allow for settlement of the ground. The Council will carry out maintenance of cemetery grounds, this will include cutting of boundary hedges and cutting of all grassed areas including grass on lawn section graves, and emptying litter bins as necessary. Christmas wreaths will be removed in February, other wreaths and sprays will be removed at the discretion of the Council (usually 2-3 weeks after funeral). Flower/shrub beds will be maintained to provide attractive displays. Accurate records will be kept of all interments at the Cemeteries Office, which is situated at: DSO Block Hundred Acre Lane Carlton Forest Tel: (01909) 533487 Worksop, S81 0TS Fax: (01909) 730586 The Cemetery Office is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am until 5.00 pm, except Bank Holidays and the Council’s concessionary holidays. Cemeteries provided by the Council are situated at:

Hannah Park, Netherton Road, Worksop. This cemetery was opened in 1996 and offers new and re-opened graves in Lawn Sections, Traditional Sections, Woodland Section, Baby/Child Section and Cremated Remains Section. There is also provision for Muslim burials. Water taps are situated on-site. Retford Road, Manton, Worksop. This cemetery was opened in 1901. There is a Chapel available for burial services, and offers re-opened graves only in Lawn Sections, Traditional Sections and new graves on Baby/Child Section or new and re-opened graves on Cremated Remains section. Public toilets are available and water taps are situated on-site. Cemetery Road, Worksop. This cemetery was opened in 1868 and is available for re-openings only. This cemetery is adjacent to Worksop Priory, there are no taps available on-site.

North Road/Babworth Road, Retford. This cemetery was opened in 1854 and offers new and re-opened graves in Lawn Sections, Traditional Sections, Woodland Section, Baby/Child Section and Cremated Remains Section. Water taps are situated on-site. To ensure the smooth running of the Cemeteries and to enable staff to effectively maintain the grounds for the benefit of all visitors, we have to impose a number of guidelines. This booklet outlines these guidelines in the form of Regulations.


1. Introduction

2. Rules and Regulations for the Cemeteries

3. Grant of Right of Burial

4. Conduct in Cemeteries

5. Burials

6. Lawn Section Graves

7. Traditional Kerb Grave Sections

8. Woodland Grave Section

9. Cremated Remains Section

10. Children’s Section 11. Memorial Masons

Environment & Housing Services BASSETLAW DISTRICT COUNCIL

CEMETERIES

Opening Times

Open 9 am Daily

Including

Bank Holidays

Closing Times

January 4pm February 5pm

March 6pm April 7pm May 8pm June 8pm July 8pm

August 8pm September 7pm

October 6pm November 4pm December 4pm

Contact Numbers During working Hours 01909 533487 Out of Hours Number 01909 501999


1. Introduction 1.1 The Council has made Regulations for Cemeteries under the provisions of the Local

Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977. 1.2 The Council reserves the right to alter, add to or amend the Regulations when

necessary. 1.3 Throughout the regulations the following words and expressions shall have the

meaning hereinafter respectively assigned to them.

‘The Council’ Bassetlaw District Council

‘The Cemeteries’ Hannah Park, Worksop Retford Road, Worksop Cemetery Road, Worksop North Road/Babworth Road, Retford.

‘The Cemeteries Office’ The office of the Cemeteries Officer situated at DSO Block, Carlton Forest, or at any such other place as may be designated by the Council.

● ‘Purchased Grave’ A grave or vault in which the Exclusive Right

of Burial has been granted.

‘Public Grave’ A grave in respect of which no Exclusive Right of Burial has been granted.

‘Vault or walled Grave’ All walled underground burial places.

‘Woodland Grave’ A grave for one person only in the appropriate section, where the only memorial allowed is a tree, which is planted on the grave space, and a plaque of a uniform size is placed on the memorial wall.

‘Memorial’ Any monument, tomb, flatstone, headstone, foot stone, kerbstone, border stone, tablet, inscribed vase, railing, or any stone erected or placed upon any purchased grave.


2. Rules and Regulations for the Cemeteries. 2.1 Reservations for burials may be made by telephone during office hours or in writing.

Reservations will be regarded as provisional until formal notice required by paragraphs 2.2 or 2.3 has been received.

2.2 Notice of burial is accepted as confirmed when all forms and certificates required to

fulfil statutory requirements, and those required by the Council, are received at the Cemetery Office no later than two clear working days before the proposed date of the funeral. Five clear day’s notice shall be given if a vault or brick grave is required. These periods of time are exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Exceptions will be made to this in cases of epidemic diseases.

Forms provided, or approved, by the Council must be used.

2.3 The selection of all grave spaces will be subject to the approval of the Cemeteries Officer.

2.4 For the burial of a stillborn child a Certificate in accordance with the Births & Deaths Registration Act 1953 must be delivered to the Cemetery office. For a Non Viable Foetus (NVF) a form signed by a Medical Practitioner in respect of a NVF must be supplied.

2.5 Orders or instructions given by telephone shall be confirmed in writing. The Council

will not accept responsibility for any delay or misunderstanding which may occur if instructions are given verbally or by telephone. Neither will the Council accept responsibility for any documents lost or delayed by the Post Office/Courier.

2.6 Documents sent by Fax will only be accepted as temporary notification and must be

confirmed by submission of originals. 2.7 The Council will not accept responsibility for, or loss of any remittances or instructions forwarded by post. 2.8 The Registrar’s Certificate for Disposal or a Coroner’s Order for Burial must be

delivered to the Cemeteries Officer at the time of Burial. If either document is mislaid or lost, a declaration to the satisfaction of the Cemeteries Officer must be made by the person procuring the disposal of the body.

2.9 Arrangements for priests, ministers, or other persons to officiate at the service are

the responsibility of the Funeral Director or the person arranging the burial. 2.10 When it is intended to hold a burial service in the Cemetery Chapel, the Cemeteries

Officer must be informed when the notice of interment is given. 2.11 The Funeral Director or person arranging the funeral is responsible for providing

sufficient bearers to convey the coffin reverently from the hearse to the graveside. The Cemetery Staff are not allowed to assist with bearing.

2.12 The Deed for the Exclusive Right of Burial must be produced in case of interments

in a purchased grave.


2.13 All fees and charges must be paid at the Cemeteries Office. The fees and charges for any burial must be paid at the time of giving notice of booking and all other fees paid before the work to which they relate is started. These requirements do not apply to those who pay by account. Charges are in accordance with the Councils’ scale of fees for cemeteries.

2.14 The fees charged include everything connected with the specified items in respect

of which an official receipt is given. No one employed by, or on behalf of the Council is allowed to receive any gratuity.

2.15 Burials may take place Monday to Fridays between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm. These

times may be amended at the Councils’ discretion. 2.16 The Council reserves the right to retain any grave space for its own purposes. 2.17 The selection of all grave spaces will be subject to the approval of the Cemeteries

Officer. The purchase of grave spaces beyond the current burial area will not be permitted.

2.18 The sale of grave spaces in advance will be limited to three graves. With the

exception of the Woodland Burial areas where the limit will be for two adjacent plots. Should such pre-purchased graves become unwanted before being used they can be sold back to the Council at the current price in the table of fees.

2.19 No communal “rotational” grave shall be opened within three years after the burial

of a person above the age of one month, unless to bury another member of the same family, The regulation shall not be deemed to apply to the burial of a stillborn or child under the age of one month. After the expiration of three years the Council may allow the body of any person to be buried therein.

2.20 A plan of the Cemeteries showing the position and number of each grave is kept at

the Cemeteries Office and may be seen without charge. 2.21 All coffins must be marked with a non perishable plaque/nameplate. This must

show the name, age and date of death of the deceased. In the case of a stillborn child no age will be recorded. Where two bodies are interred in one coffin then both names are marked.

2.22 No coffin, or part of a coffin, may be removed from any Cemetery grounds without

the prior and express permission of the Cemeteries Officer. 2.23 No body may be removed from a Cemetery for any purpose whatsoever except on

the order of a Coroner, Court of Summary Jurisdiction or a Chief Constable. 2.24 No body or cremated remains may be exhumed without the consent of the

Secretary of State for Home Affairs and/or the Faculty of the Bishop of the Diocese. 2.25 The Council reserves the right to prune, cut down, or remove any shrubs or trees

within the Cemeteries at any time. 3. Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial

Owning an Exclusive Right of Burial for a grave does not give ownership of the actual land, but does give the owner of the Deed the right to:

Be buried in that grave


Authorise further burials in that grave, where space is available, or the interment of cremated remains in that grave.

Place a memorial on that grave, subject to the Council’s Regulations relating to memorials.

Have, inscriptions or additional inscriptions on a memorial on that grave subject to the Council’s Regulations on this matter.

Possessing a Deed of Exclusive Right of Burial does not necessarily give the person ownership of Exclusive Right of Burial, when the owner is deceased, subsequent ownership depends upon whether or not the deceased person left a valid Will. The law on this can be complex and it is strongly advised you consult a Solicitor to establish new ownership. Only one person can hold the Exclusive Right of Burial, it cannot be held jointly by family members.

Ownership of a Deed may also be transferred or assigned by use of a form – Declaration, Indemnity and Application in respect of the transfer or Assignment of an Exclusive Right of Burial - obtainable from the Cemeteries Officer.

The Deed of Exclusive Right of Burial, like any other Deed, is an important document and should be kept in a safe place.

3.1 On the purchase of the Exclusive Right of Burial for a grave, a Deed of Grant shall

be issued to the purchaser whose name is registered. 3.2 Burial rights can be purchased for a maximum of 99 years. 3.3 Notice for the interment of cremated remains must be accompanied by the

Certificate issued by the Crematorium where the cremation took place. 3.4 People arranging a burial in a non-private grave acquire no rights other than that of

making a single interment in a grave. 4. Conduct in Cemeteries 4.1 All persons within the Cemeteries must conduct themselves in a quiet and orderly

way. The Council reserves the right to exclude anyone showing the effects of excess alcohol or drug abuse from the Cemetery grounds.

4.2 Under the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977, it is an offence for anyone to

wilfully:

Create any disturbance in a Cemetery

Commit any nuisance in a Cemetery

Interfere with any burial taking place in a Cemetery

Interfere with any grave, tombstone or any other memorial, or any flowers or plants in any such manner.

Play any games or sport in a Cemetery

Enter or remain in a Cemetery when it is closed to the public, unless authorised by the Council to do so.

People contravening these provisions are liable, if convicted, to a fine not exceeding £100.


4.3 Visitors, not attending a funeral, should not walk on the turf or touch the plants or memorials.

4.4 Smoking shall not take place at or near a funeral service, procession, interment, in

the Cemetery Chapel or Cemetery Office. 4.5 Dogs are not allowed in the Cemeteries except Assistance dogs. 4.6 Only vehicles carrying disabled people, motor cars and carriages accompanying

funerals and service vehicles will be allowed into the Cemeteries, other vehicles are requested to park in the facilities provided.

4.7 Cycling in the Cemeteries is prohibited. 4.8 Children under the age of 12 years will not be admitted except under the care of

adults. 4.9 No one may canvass or solicit orders within the Cemeteries. 4.10 There must be no demonstrations of any kind, or religious services other than the

service at the time of interment without the consent of the Cemeteries Officer beforehand. No music is allowed except as an integral part of a funeral service or an event approved by the Cemeteries Officer.

4.12 The Council has the discretion to exclude People breaking these Regulations, and

will not allowed to enter any of the Cemeteries together with vehicles under their control.

5. Burials 5.1 Graves will be sufficiently large to admit coffins or caskets to the dimensions

specified on the application form by the Funeral Director or the person arranging the funeral.

5.2 All excavations will be done by the Council staff. 5.3 Work other than excavation, including constructing or reopening bricked graves or

vaults, erecting or removing or re-fixing memorials, may be done, with the approval of the Cemeteries Officer, by any qualified person appointed by the owner of the purchased grave.

6. Lawn Grave Sections

6.1 As soon as practicable after the interment, the Council shall sow grass seed or turf

over the whole of the grave, thereafter no person other than authorised by the Council shall interfere with or alter the grassed area of the grave.

6.2 No grave or vault shall be raised by turfing or any other manner, above the level of

the ground immediately adjoining. 6.3 No trees, shrubs, plants, flower holders, jars, vases, stones laid flat, memorials,

railings, fencing, gravel or other structures enclosing graves may be placed on the grassed area.

6.4 Subject to the written consent of the Council and to payment of the prescribed fee a

memorial may be placed at the head of the grave. The memorial becomes the


Council’s property at the expiration date of the period of the Grant of the Exclusive Right of Burial.

6.5 The memorial must sit on the base provided in the position required by the Council,

and shall not exceed three feet (915mm) in height measured from the ground, two feet six inches (760mm) in width, nor four inches (100mm) in thickness.

6.6 Memorials will be allowed on the lawn sections marking two adjoining graves,

provided that they do not exceed four feet six inches (1,370mm) in width. 6.7 All memorials shall be kept in good repair at the expense of the owner of the

Exclusive Right of Burial. The Council reserves the right to remove any monument, which in their opinion has become unsafe, dilapidated or unsightly, or not kept in good repair.

6.8 The Council will maintain the whole of the grassed area of the Lawn Sections. 6.9 The Council will remove any item placed on or near a grave that does not conform

to these Regulations, without prior notice or right of appeal. 7. Traditional Kerb Grave Sections 7.1 Subject to the written consent of the Council and to payment of the prescribed fee a

memorial and kerbs may be placed on the grave. All memorials shall be kept in good repair at the expense of the owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial. The Council reserves the right to remove any monument, which in their opinion has become unsafe, dilapidated or unsightly, or not kept in good repair.

7.2 All memorials shall be kept in good repair at the expense of the owner of the


7.3 The memorial must be in the position required by the Council, the area covered by

any memorial border or ledger stone must not exceed:- 7 foot (2135mm) in length and 3 foot (915mm) in width for a single grave space

7 foot (2135mm) in length and 7 foot (2135mm) in width for a double grave space 7 foot (2135mm) in length and 10 foot (3050mm) in width for a triple grave space 7.4 The Council will remove any item placed on or near a grave that does not conform

to these Regulations, without prior notice or right of appeal. 8. Woodland Grave Section

The Woodland Graves offer an alternative to the traditional form of burial. The Woodland sections will create a natural habitat for wildlife, trees, shrubs and wild flowers whilst providing a resting place for those who wish to return to nature.

8.1 All graves will be made to accommodate one adult only. The adjoining grave may

be purchased for the partner of the deceased. 8.2 The advance purchasing of graves for further members of the same family will not

be allowed, as this will interfere with the natural development of the woodland. 8.3 The Council will allow the use of alternative forms of coffins including biodegradable

wood, cardboard, wicker baskets or shrouds, provided they are of suitable and safe construction and conform to all aspects of decency and subject to the approval of the Cemeteries & Parks Maintenance Officer.


8.4 Coffins used in Woodland burials must not have been treated with varnishes or

preservatives. It is possible to use an outer coffin shell for the funeral service and subsequently to inter in an inner shell or shroud.

8.5 Bodies buried in Woodland Graves must not have been embalmed. 8.6 At the appropriate time of year, once the burial has taken place and when the grave

has settled, a tree will be planted which is native to the area. This will provide a living memorial to the deceased. A name plate of a uniform size will be placed on the memorial wall provided by the Council.

8.7 No memorials, flowers or tributes whatsoever will be allowed on any grave. Floral

tributes will only be permitted in the special place provided for them. 8.8 The grass in the Woodland sections will be cut no more than twice per year, to

promote the growth of wild flowers. The paths will be cut more often for the comfort of visitors to the section.

8.9 If the tree does not get established within the first year and dies, it will be replaced

by the Council. The trees will form part of managed woodland for all time and if they reach a state where they have become dangerous, they will be felled.

8.10 The Council will remove any item placed on or near a grave that does not conform

to these Regulations, without prior notice or right of appeal. 9. Cremated Remains Section 9.1 All grave spaces shall be two feet by two feet (610mm x 610mm). 9.2 All excavations for the interment of cremated remains will only be undertaken by

Council Staff. Following the interment of cremated remains, the grave will be back-filled and then covered with a concrete slab measuring two feet square by two inches thick.

9.3 All cremated remains shall be interred in urns or caskets of a suitable and approved

construction and design. 9.4 Subject to the written consent of the Council and to payment of the prescribed fee a

memorial plaque may be placed on the grave. The memorial becomes the Council’s property at the expiration date of the period of the Grant of the Exclusive Right of Burial.

9.5 The only permitted memorials allowed on a base slab section will be a flat plaque,

maximum dimensions eighteen inches square and two inches thick, (445mm square and 50mm thick) not exceeding six inches (150mm) at its highest part.

9.6 On the Section where plaques are laid into the ground, only memorial tablets of

twelve inches square (305mm x 305mm) will be permitted, providing that they are laid flat and do not protrude above ground level. Floral tributes will only be permitted in the special place provided for them.

9.7 No shrubs, plants, flower holders, jars, vases, gravel or other may be placed on

slabbed or grassed area. 9.8 The Council will remove any item placed on or near a grave that does not conform

to these Regulations, without prior notice or right of appeal.


10. Children’s Section 10.1 As soon as practicable after the interment, the Council shall sow grass seed or turf

over the whole of the grave, thereafter no person other than authorised by the Council shall interfere with or alter the grassed area of the grave.

10.2 No grave or vault shall be raised by turfing or any other manner, above the level of

the ground immediately adjoining. 10.3 All owners of Exclusive Rights of Burial for Children’s graves on Section C. will be

given an option of having a two foot x two foot (610mm x 610mm) slab placed in front of the headstone area to allow personal items. These items must be placed on the slab and are not allowed to overspill onto the grassed area. Children’s graves on Section 5, any personal/extra items must be placed on the concrete grip at the side of the Headstone. All such Items placed are at the owners risk.

10.3 No trees, shrubs, plants, flower holders, jars, vases, stones laid flat, memorials,

railings, fencing, gravel or other structures enclosing graves may be placed on the grassed area.

10.4 Subject to the written consent of the Council and to payment of the prescribed fee a

memorial may be placed at the head of the grave. The memorial becomes the Council’s property at the expiration date of the period of the Grant of the Exclusive Right of Burial.

10.5 The memorial must sit on the base provided in the position required by the Council,

and shall not exceed two feet (610mm) in height measured from the ground, two feet (610mm) in width, nor four inches (100mm) in thickness.

10.6 All memorials shall be kept in good repair at the expense of the owner of the


10.8 The Council will maintain the whole of the grassed area of the Lawn Sections. 10.9 The Council will remove any item placed on or near a grave that does not conform

to these Regulations, without prior notice or right of appeal. 11. Memorial Masons 11.1 Only those persons who are on the Council’s list of approved monumental masons,

and who provide annually evidence of Public Liability Insurance cover in the sum of not less than FIVE MILLION POUNDS, to indemnify Bassetlaw District Council against any claims arising from any acts or omissions, will be allowed to carry out any form of monumental work in the Council’s cemeteries.

11.2 All memorials fitted after April 2004 must comply with NAM fixings/Code of Practice 11.3 Before erection of any monumental or other work, a drawing thereof, on the

appropriate form provided for the purpose will be submitted to the Cemeteries Officer, together with the fees, no monument may be erected or inscription made unless approved by the Cemeteries Officer.

11.4 The whole of the materials used in the construction of any memorial shall be of the

best natural stone or other quarried material and must be approved by the Council’s Cemeteries Officer. No artificial, synthetic, wooden or metal structures will be permitted.


Who can buy a grave? Anyone who is over 18 years old can buy a grave. However, there is an additional cost for people who live outside the Bassetlaw area. How long is the exclusive right of burial for? In the cemeteries we manage, the exclusive right of burial is sold for 99 years. These are known as 'purchased graves'. Can I bury cremated remains in the cemeteries? Yes, in each cemetery there is an area which is set aside for cremated remains. Cremated remains can also be placed in purchased graves. Scattering of ashes is not permitted in any of the Bassetlaw District Council maintained cemeteries. What is the difference between un-purchased and purchased graves? Purchased grave A purchased grave is where the right of burial can be bought for a period of time, Bassetlaw Cemeteries sell the Rights for ninety nine years. The owner of the right of burial can decide who will be buried in the grave and will give their permission to open the grave for the interment, also for any Memorial to be placed, subject to the Councils Rules & Regulations. Un-purchased grave An un-purchased grave, sometimes known as a common grave, is where the right to burial cannot be bought and the council has total control of the grave. Common graves can be sold at a later date, at the discretion of the authorities. The Council will decide who will be buried in the grave and this might not be members of the same family. No memorial rights exist on common graves so no headstone or other memorial can be placed.

Point to Remember As the Owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial, you will have the responsibility

to decide who will be buried in the grave and will need to give your permission to open the grave for future interment and to ensure that any memorial that may be placed on the grave shall be kept in good repair at

the expense to you and also that on a Lawn Section items will not be allowed to be placed on the grave in front of the headstone.

If you would like a large print version of this booklet Please contact the Cemeteries Office.

01909 533487

Download - Hannah Park Cemetery Retford Road Cemetery Retford Cemetery · Hannah Park Cemetery Retford Road Cemetery Retford Cemetery . ... Woodland Section, ... Indemnity and Application in

Top Related