Cemeteries and Churchyards Maintenance and Repair
Churchyards and cemeteries often fall into one of two categories: lawn cemeteries or historic cemetery. Most lawn cemeteries are rectangular in shape, with well-kept, trimmed flat lawn-style grass, sanitary facilities, parking, and access through contemporary walkways to all portions. With the General Guidelines section applying to all churchyards and graveyards regardless of age, and the Care for Historic Churchyards and Graveyards section providing more detailed information on various aspects of this type of property, these guidelines are issued to assist parishes in the maintenance of their churchyards and graveyards.
General Guidelines
Safety & Health
The select vestry should include a risk assessment or inspection of the churchyard or graveyard as part of their annual health and safety program because it is just as important as other parish buildings, like the church or parish hall, for example.
Management
The Representative Church Body is responsible for overseeing cemeteries and burial grounds. The legislation controlling burials is not covered in this chapter, but it does outline the rules and regulations pertaining to the management of burial grounds, including fees, permission of the erection of headstones and their inscriptions, rights of burial, and location of burial. It excludes practical topics like insurance, health & …