Dursley Cemetery Regulations

PURCHASE of EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF BURIAL

This constitutes the purchase of the lease of the burial plot for a period of 99 years from the original date of purchase. Please note that the purchase of the Exclusive Right of Burial (ERB) is not mandatory for a burial to take place, but it is essential prior to installing a memorial.

PROPRIETOR’S ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

During the period of tenure, the grave space and any memorials erected thereon shall be the sole responsibility of the proprietor.  The proprietor must therefore ensure that a care and maintenance plan, (including the annual inspection of any memorials) and adequate insurance cover (public liability, accidental damage arising from storms, vandalism and any other damage) is in place at all times.   

Subject to Council agreement, the ERB holder is the only person who can authorise / request subsequent burials (up to the maximum indicated by the description of the plot) / interment of ashes / erection of a memorial and works / alterations to an existing memorial, so the Exclusive Right must be transferred upon the death of the holder. The recording by Council of a transfer of ownership is not charged, but there is a fee for the replacement of the certificate.  It is strongly recommended that the proprietor informs Council of any change of name and/or address, and again, no charge is made for updating the records.

TOWN COUNCIL’S ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Town Council administers the burial ground for the benefit of the whole community, and therefore bases its decisions and maintenance policy on the needs and safety of the majority.  In consequence, Council reserves the right, without notice, to eliminate the mound over any grave or otherwise to deal with such a grave space if, in its opinion it is untidy and/or could pose a risk to others.  A similar course of action will be taken with the laying down of vulnerable memorials whenever necessary.   Council will, wherever possible, attempt to contact the ERB holder before such action is taken, but cannot be held responsible if prior contact is not or cannot be made.

MEMORIALS

Subject to the Town Council granting permission, the proprietor may instruct suitably trained personnel to erect a headstone not exceeding 5 feet in height, with or without a base, and with or without a vase.  The base must not exceed 2 feet 6 inches wide and 2 feet deep measured from the back of the headstone.  The proprietor may also request permission for additional inscriptions to be added to an existing memorial.  Please note that an administration fee will be charged for any and all of the above. Any and all works must be in accordance with the minimum accepted standard of the National Association of Memorial Masons, and shall not take place until 11 months from the date of interment.  In the interim, the Town Council will not normally object to the marking of a grave by a simple wooden cross pending the erection of a permanent memorial, but reserves the right to remove any such grave marker.

PLANTING

Other than in cases of historical precedence, permanent planting of graves is restricted to the area immediately in front of the headstone, and must not exceed 2 feet 6 inches wide and 2 feet deep, as measured from the back of the headstone.  The remainder of the grave space must be left level and grassed, in order that access to adjoining plots and general maintenance are neither compromised nor inconvenienced.

MAINTENANCE OF GRAVES

The Council provides no service for the maintenance of graves and reserves the right to determine and to give directions as to how the Cemetery and any grave therein shall be governed and/or maintained.