Regulations for Families who have purchased or who wish to purchase a Deed of Exclusive Right of Burial in Newstead Cemetery.
The Parish Council wishes to make families aware of the following regulations:-
1. The permission of the Council must be obtained prior to the placing of any memorial.
2. The Council will undertake to turf or seed the grave as soon as it is practically possible to do so following an interment.
3. The only permitted memorials on a grave will be a single headstone within the limits of an individual grave which incorporates no more than two flower containers within the plinth of the headstone, OR a single unbreakable flower container on the plinth of the headstone. A wooden cross may be permitted but only on the express permission of the Council and provided it is made from hard wood. It remains the responsibility of the owner to keep this in good repair.
4. The fixing of flat stones or kerb sets will not be permitted. Enclosing borders of any description or raised plots are also not permitted.
5. Memorials must be of a material approved by the Council.
6. The planting of trees, shrubs, or bulbs on or near to graves is not permitted under any circumstances.
7. No trees, shrubs or bulbs shall be planted in any part of the cemetery without the expressed written permission of the Council.
8. Headstones, vases, trees, shrubs, bulbs and any other adornment not complying with the foregoing conditions shall be removed.
9. The surface of a grave must not be obstructed by any adornment including, but not exclusively, bell glasses, vases, solar lights, ornaments or any other decoration but must remain flat and unobstructed for health and safety reasons ease of mowing.
10. No musical instrument or other sound producing device will be allowed into the cemeteries except when used as an integral part of a funeral service.
11. Christmas wreaths will usually be removed at the end of January without notice.
12. Artificial flowers that have been affected by the weather will be removed at the discretion of the Ground staff to enhance the appearance of the cemetery.
13. Dead flowers in vases or on graves will be removed at the discretion of the Ground staff to enhance the appearance of the cemetery.
14. No trenches or means of marking the boundary of a grave are permitted.
15. All new graves are lawn type and as such will be mown on a regular basis.
Artificial grass is not permitted.
16. Only authorized vehicles are allowed in the Cemetery and it is an offence to drive a vehicle anywhere in the Cemetery except on the main drive.
17. When new graves are being dug, there may be some short term disruption to neighbouring graves owing to soil displacement.
18. All visitors must conduct themselves in a quiet and orderly manner at all times. Council representatives have the right to exclude or remove any member of the public at their discretion.
19. Under the provisions of the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977, it is an offence for a person to wilfully:
a. Create any disturbance in a cemetery.
b. Commit a nuisance in a cemetery.
c. Interfere with any burial taking place in a cemetery.
d. Interfere with any grave or vault, any tombstone or other memorial or any flowers or plants in any such manner.
e. Play any game or sport in a cemetery.
f. Enter or remain in a cemetery when it is closed to the public, unless authorised by the Council to do so.
g. To affix wind chimes to any tree, post or fence within the boundaries of the cemetery.
20. Persons who contravene these provisions will be liable upon conviction to a fine; the costs to the Council to rectify and damages caused will be charged to the person who has caused the damage.
21. The Council reserves the right from time to time to revise these rules.
J. Johnson
Clerk to Newstead Parish Council.
Revised April 2018