General

1.                  The Churchyard is subject to the jurisdiction of the Bishop, exercised by the Chancellor of the Diocese and accordingly no memorial stones may be erected, or any works undertaken except by written authorisation or faculty as outlined below.

2.                  However, the Chancellor delegates authority to incumbents (including team vicars) to give consent to the erection or introduction of gravestones and memorials providing they meet the following criteria (paras 3-22) and the stipulated procedures are followed.  Where there is no incumbent this authority may be exercised by the priest in charge, and if none, the rural dean, and references in these guidelines to ‘the incumbent’ shall be construed as including the priest in charge and if none, the rural dean.

3.                  Nothing shall be erected in the churchyard until the consent of the incumbent to such proposals has been obtained in writing.  Applicants for consent should give a full description of proposed designs, measurements, inscriptions, and type and finish of stone proposed to be used.

4.                  Applicants are advised not to accept any estimate or otherwise enter into a contract with a funeral director or stonemason until such written authorisation has been obtained.

Dimensions

5.                  The incumbent will normally be able to sanction:

Memorials marking or recording the burial of human remains other than cremated remains

(a)   simple vertical headstones not exceeding 1200 mm (4ft) high, measured from the surface of the ground, 900 mm (3ft) wide and 150 mm (6”) thick.

(b)   A plinth or base supporting such headstones not exceeding 300 mm (12”) from front to back and projecting not more than 50 mm (2”) beyond the back and not more than 75 mm (3”) beyond the sides of the headstone and not thereby causing the memorial to exceed the dimensions in 5(a) above.  (The intention of a plinth is to enable a vase or other flower container to be sunk into or placed upon its forward projection).

(c)   simple horizontal stones, set below ground level so as not to impede a mower and not  exceeding 1200mm (4ft) in length and 900 mm (3ft) in width.

Memorial stones, marking or recording the interment of created remains.

(d)   simple memorial stones, (see para 24), either mounted on walls provided for the purpose or laid horizontally in the ground, sunk so that their surface does not impede a mower passing over them.  Such stones shall not exceed 533 mm x 533 mm (21” x 21”).

Designs

6.         Headstones need not be restricted to a rectangular shape and curved tops are preferable to straight-edged ones.  Memorials in the shape of a heart or of a book are not permitted.

Epitaphs and Inscriptions

7.         Inscriptions must be simple and reverent, though they may include quotations from biblical or suitable literary sources.  All inscriptions must receive the prior permission of the incumbent in accordance with paragraph 3 above.

8.         Additions may be made to inscriptions at a later date, following subsequent interments in the same grave or for other good reason, but any such addition or alteration to an inscription must  be separately approved by the incumbent in writing.

9(a)     No advertisement or trademark should be inscribed on a headstone but the mason’s name or mason’s mark may be inscribed on the side or reverse of memorial stones, near the foot or on the plinth in letters no larger than 13mm (1/2”) in height, such letters to be unleaded and unpainted.

9(b)     The identification number of the grave plot should be inscribed as in para 9(a).

10.       For all inscriptions 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.

Method of Fixing Headstones

11.       Due regard must be paid to the nature of the ground and the problem of potential settlement.  Memorials with or without a raised plinth (see para 5b) may rest upon a foundation slab or be set in concrete which does not rise above ground level, does not impede a mower or reveal itself in any unsightly way.  Headstones inserted directly into the ground must be of adequate dimension below ground level to ensure continued stability.

Materials for Headstones etc.

12.       All monuments shall be made of 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 to be preferred.

13.       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.

14.       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 incumbent.  When incumbents feel any doubt they should require the applicant to apply for a faculty.

15.       (a)  Photographs, porcelain or plastic portraits are NOT permitted to be affixed to any memorial or to form part of its design;

(b)   Inscribed portraits or other representations of the deceased are similarly NOT permitted.

In such cases applications must be the subject of a faculty petition.

16.       Memorials made of synthetic or reconstructed stone, ceramics, plastics or metal are not
            permitted.

Treatment of Grave-spaces and Maintenance

17.       It is not permitted to introduce kerbs, railings, posts or chains to enclose a grave nor to cover the surface of a grave with chippings or other extraneous materials.

18.       Bulbs may be planted in the soil of any grave, but not trees, shrubs or plants, which might impede mowing.

19.       The surface of the grave shall be levelled and any mound removed within 6 months of a burial having taken place.  It should be flattened and turfed or seeded to allow for mowing.

20.       Wreaths and floral tributes may be laid upon a grave and cut flowers arranged in metal or stone vases, set below ground level so as not to impede a mower when not containing flowers.  Glass, ceramic and plastic containers are not permitted.

21.       Persons to whom is deputed the day-to-day upkeep of the churchyard may remove wreaths, cut flowers, etc. when they appear to be withered or dead.

22.       Artificial flowers are not permitted with the exception of Remembrance Day poppies.

Cremated Remains

23.       The incumbent may permit cremated remains to be deposited in the churchyard.  The remains shall not be scattered, but interred after prior arrangement with the incumbent, preferably directly into the earth without a container.

24.       Memorial tablets in connection with cremated remains are permitted only in areas designated and set aside for the purpose.  Additional inscriptions to existing memorials are permitted in compliance with para 7.

Memorial for which a Faculty must be obtained

25.       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 to the Diocesan Registry, Friars, White Friars, Chester, CH1 1XS.

26.       Individually designed memorials are not discouraged but are subject to the procedures for scrutiny and advice provided for in the Care of Churches Measure etc. 1991 and a Faculty must be obtained for any such memorial.  Statuary and other sculpture is generally discouraged unless it is of exceptional artistic merit and will in any event be subject to the above mentioned procedures.