Below is a summary of the rules for graves in the traditional and Greek Orthodox sections of the cemetery.
Permission for monuments and memorials
Monuments or memorials may not be put up. No enclosure may be built over any earthen grave space without the Council's written consent. This is if the right of burial was not purchased.
The Chief Officer must sign it. They will act through the Cemetery Superintendent.
A design may be carved or etched on the reverse of a memorial, subject to its suitability. The Council will reserve the right to determine what is suitable. A verse may be inscribed on the back of a memorial if approved.
The verse cannot relate to the name of a deceased person or the date of death or burial.
Rules about traditional and Greek Orthodox sections
An application must be submitted first:
- before any memorial is built
- before having an inscription added
- before any renovations or alterations are done.
The application must have the written authority from the owner.
For a new memorial, an application must include a drawing. The drawing must show the size and material of the memorial. In the case of a vault or earthen grave, the exclusive right of burial must be purchased.
In this case, such applications must be signed by the owner. If the owner is deceased, a letter of indemnity must be signed in a prescribed form.
The Council may refuse permission for any memorial or inscription. This is if it does not meet with their approval.
Work on memorials at the cemetery is not allowed. This is until the Chief Officer issues a permit. We will not issue the permit until you pay all fees shown on the form.
The back of the memorial must have the plot and grave number. They must be at the centre and 150 mm (6 ins) from the top. Or, they can be at a position shown by the Chief Officer.
Dimensions and construction of traditional memorials
These rules apply only to private graves and those where full memorials are permitted. The rules for headstones and plaques in lawn sections are shown in the respective sections of the rules.
The area inside a grave's kerbing must be no more than 1950 mm by 750 mm (6'6" x 2'6") for a single grave. It must be no more than 1950 mm by 1950 mm (6'6" x 6'6") for a double grave.
All flat stones, landings, or bearers must be of hard York stone or reinforced concrete. They must be rubbed on the exposed surfaces.
They must be at least 100 mm (4") thick. They must be fixed at least 25 mm (1") below ground at the shallowest angle. They must be cut when required.
Kerbs on landings must be at least 75 mm (3") wide and 150 mm (6") deep on any single grave. They are to be 100 mm (4") wide and 150 mm (6") deep on larger graves.
The kerbs must be one piece for the sides or ends of graves. Each piece must have at least two non-ferrous dowels cemented into the landing.
Headstones cannot be taller than 1050 mm (3'6") from the ground. They must be securely fixed to stone landings or bearers. This must be signed off by the Chief Officer or other authorised officer of the Council.
Memorial crosses on plinths can't be taller than 1200 mm (4'0") from the ground. They must be on single graves and fixed to stone landings or bearers.
Such monuments or memorials must be fixed on a solid stone base resting on the landing between kerbs. Crosses must be in one piece.
Cramps are used in monuments or memorials. They must be of copper or brass.
The Chief Officer must approve the materials used in memorial construction. Soft stone, wood, concrete, metal or artificial stone will not be permitted.
Kerbs and/or posts can only be put on vaults or earthen graves in a certain part of the cemetery. They must have landings. Monuments on such vaults or graves must be made of approved materials.
Where kerbs enclose a vault or earthen grave, fill the space between the kerbs with mould when you enclose it. If the kerbs are fixed to a landing covering the whole vault or grave space, use chips.
But, earth or bricks without a concrete foundation under the chips are not allowed.
Chips may only be used between kerbs. The kerbs must be fixed to a landing that covers the whole vault or earthen grave space.
Planting of hull size grave spaces
After each burial in a purchased grave space, the grave's surface will be laid to grass. This is if within a year of the burial, no memorial has been built on the grave.
Or if no application to build one has been received by the Chief Officer.
The registered owner of the exclusive right of burial in any vault or earthen grave space may plant:
- annual bedding plants,
- bulbs,
- rose bushes or similar species on such vault or grave space.
Shrubs, conifers and other ornaments are not allowed. The Council may at any time trim, cut or remove these if it is necessary to do so.
The Council does not undertake to plant grave spaces.