All Hallows Church, Bispham, Blackpool

- Regulations - Materials - Finishes - Dimensions - Design / Shape - Carving / Ornamentation - Inscriptions - Masons & Applications - Cremation & Ashes - Additional Details - Address For Application - Cheque Payable To - Churchyard Fees

Churchyard Plan (currently unavailable)

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Contact Details

Regulations

These regulations are for the maintenance, safety and harmony within the Churchyard.

A Church of England Churchyard is not a public cemetery, therefore please consult the Church and your local mason first and do not assume everything is allowed!

• Parishioners whose names are on the Electoral Register have a right of burial, including the right to have ashes buried.  There are other circumstances that a right of burial would be considered, but it is not an automatic right and for clarity permission must be sought.

• It is usual for grave spaces to hold two full burials and a number of ashes burials.

• No memorial can be erected or works undertaken without the written consent of the incumbent, priest in charge or church warden.

• The memorial is the property of the person who erected it and its maintenance is the responsibility of the purchaser, and in the case of their death, this falls to their descendants. The P.C.C. also has duties to ensure that the churchyard is reasonably safe for those who come there.

• Only a memorial within the dimensions and criteria laid out is allowed. The area is to be left grassed. No edgings or gardening is allowed. All items left on the grave will be removed and disposed of without any notice. Flowers are allowed to be placed in vase container built into the memorial. Wreaths or poppies will be allowed if attached to the memorial, for a short appropriate period of time

• Springs bulbs may be planted in the soil of the grave, near the headstone in such a way as not to appear the mowing.

• Those affecting the burial i.e. next of kin or their offices, will ensure that 6 months after burial, the surface of the grave is levelled, the mount over the grave being removed and the ground flattened, turfed or seeded, to allow for mowing.

• In the interest of public safety, unsafe monuments will be lowered. In no circumstances may they be re-erected without prior consultation with the incumbent. Wherever possible, re-erection of the monument will be encouraged.

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• Dogs are not permitted in the churchyard except on a lead, those taking dogs into the churchyard are responsible for their behaviour, and for removing any fouling.

• The parochial church council will press for maximum penalties in case of malicious or wilful damage.

• All litter, organic and inorganic waste including old wreaths, wreath bases, bouquet wrappers, ribbons, etc, shall be taken home or placed in the bins provided. Organic waste, including grave grass and flower cuttings and withered flowers shall be placed on the tip provided.

Each P.C.C. has discretion to interpret the regulations to maintain the harmony of their churchyard. These interpretations are available on the Blackburn Diocese website (www.blackburn.anglican.org) and the new Lancashire Churchyards website (www.lancashirechurchyards.co.uk)

Materials

• Materials must harmonise with existing memorials and the church building.
  

• York stone and green slate or their equivalent colours and durability are allowed.

• British quarried stones will generally be permitted.

• Coloured granites would be allowed providing a minimum of 10% of the colour is already present within the churchyard.

• All other materials are not allowed, especially: any marble, synthetic stone, plastic materials, metal and terra cotta.

• If a material not falling into the accepted category is requested, then a faculty would be required.

• All Hallows P.C.C have decided that the colours and materials allowed, without a faculty, are shown below:
  

Finishes

• A honed (non reflective) finish is preferred. However a polished finish is allowed providing a minimum of 10% of this colour and finish is already present within the churchyard.

• All Hallows P.C.C. have decided that a polished finish is allowed on the above materials only.
  

Dimensions

• Headstones – MAXIMUM dimensions including anything above ground including any foundation, plinth, base or headstone are 48” (1200 mm) high, 36” (900 mm) wide and 18” (450 mm) deep.

• The foundation must always be below ground level.

• Memorials outside these maximum dimensions will require a faculty.

Design / Shape

• Many shapes are acceptable that fit within the maximum dimensions and are structurally compliant with BS 8415 and the current edition of the NAMM Code of Working Practice.

• If the shape is declined by the P.C.C., the applicant has the right to make an application for a faculty.

• All Hallows P.C.C. have decided NOT to allow crosses in the churchyard

Carving / Ornamentation

• Carving or ornamentation should be consistent with Christian belief and the character of the local churchyard.

• Designs and ornaments cut into the material are allowed, such as flowers and crosses.

• No photograph, cameo or portraiture of the deceased is allowed.

• No kerbs, railings, plain or coloured chippings, statues or birdbaths are allowed.

• Ornamentation reflecting an occupation or hobby would be allowed at the discretion of the P.C.C.  However, if the ornamentation is declined, again the applicant has the right to make an application for a faculty.

Inscriptions

• The inscription must read well now and be appropriate in the future and consistent with Christian beliefs.  If the incumbent and P.C.C. feel the inscription is not appropriate and a compromise is not agreed, then the applicant has the right to apply for a faculty.

• The inscription should include a full Christian name and surname of the deceased date (or year) of death and age, or of the dates of birth and death. In expressing these dates it is preferable to use the notation 1st January 1992 rather than 1/1/92. In addition, if space permits, it is good to include occupation, title or honour and where he or she lived.

• The P.C.C have decided that if a quote is to be used as part of the inscription then the source of the quote must be noted on the application form.
  

• The mason’s name must be inscribed on the side or the reverse of the memorial at ground level no larger than 15mm in height.  This is to ensure traceability of the mason, should there be any stability issues in the future.  Trademarks or advertisements are NOT permitted.

• Lettering may be unpainted, painted, gilded or leaded.
  

• Additional inscriptions are allowed that match the layout of the original inscription. Permission must first be given by the church and a fee is payable. Your local BRAMM/RQMF registered mason will make the application on your behalf, but the applicant must prove they are the grave owner or their legal descendant.

Masons & Applications

• Ask to see previous work the mason has already carried out in the local area, and preferably this churchyard.

• Always try to see the size and colour of the memorial you are choosing, as photographs can deceive.

• Ask for a scale drawing of the memorial showing the style and layout of your inscription, prior to making your final choice.

• Your memorial mason should be able to give you professional advice on what will fit your memorial and be acceptable to the church. Always try to leave some space on the memorial, rather than fill all the available space. It is not possible to say everything you wish to say in your thoughts, and the memorial is not another obituary notice.

• The memorial must be erected to the current edition of the NAMM Code of Working Practice which supports British Standard 8415. The memorial must be erected by masons currently on the RQMF (Register of Qualified Memorial Fixers) website www.nammregister.org or the BRAMM (British Register of Memorial Masons) website www.bramm.org, for up to date lists.

• A full application must be submitted by the BRAMM/RQMF registered memorial mason showing overall dimensions and method of construction together with a scale drawing clearly showing the inscription layout together with any ornamentation, the material and its finish.

• A Church of England fee is payable - Click HERE

• Application Form

• No work should be undertaken until the application has been approved.

• Your mason must contact Mr David Smedley to book an appointment to view, remove or fix any memorial in the churchyard on 01253 352743 or 07702334661.
  

• The regulations are for the maintenance, safety and harmony within the Churchyard. A Church of England Churchyard is not a public cemetery, therefore please consult the church and your local mason first and do not assume everything is allowed!

Cremations & Ashes

• The incumbent may permit cremated remains to be deposited in the churchyard. Such remains shall not be scattered but interred after prior arrangement with the incumbent.

• There are currently three variations of commemoration for cremated remains:

• The churchyards original columbarium wall has now been removed and replaced by the ambulatory. The original plaques now fit flush with the ground with the ashes placed directly underneath; these plaques are made of York stone with cut and painted black letters. A small York stone vase 6" x 6" x 6" is also permitted. This section is now closed to new plaques, only additional inscriptions are now allowed on existing plaques. The church fees for this is £207, the mason must apply on behalf of the family for permission to add another name, once granted the church will liaise with the family about the burial of the ashes. It is the mason's responsibility to uplift the plaque and re-cement the plaque after the ashes have been buried. For clarity the cost of the additional inscription is negotiated separately between the mason and the family.

• The old columbarium wall still has some reserved spaces available, these plaques are made of York stone and the letters are cut and painted black or gilded. Please note that gilded letters will not last as long as a painted letter. The plaques are fixed to wall with four screws. The internal sizes of the niche are 7" x 11" x 10" and it is asked that the cremation casket be 1/2" smaller than these dimensions to allow easy fitting. The church fee for a reserved niche and plaque is £207. For clarity the cost of the inscription is negotiated separately between the mason and the family.

• A new columbarium wall is now available, the plaques are made of York stone and measure 12" x 9" x 1". The letters are cut and painted black or gilded. Please note that gilded letters will not last as long as a painted letter. The plaques are fixed to wall with four screws. The internal sizes of the niche are 7" x 12" x 9" and it is asked that the cremation casket be 1/2" smaller than these dimensions to allow easy fitting. The church fee for a niche and plaque is £419, a second niche can be reserved for an extra £207. For clarity the cost of the inscription is negotiated separately between the mason and the family.

• York stone vases 6" x 6" x 6" incorporating a name are allowed to be placed at the foot of the new columbarium wall, there is no additional churchyard fee for this providing the application is sent in at the same time as the application for a cremation plaque. If the vase is applied for at a later date the normal church fee of £81 will apply.

Additional Details

• Use your BRAMM/RQMF registered local mason to advise you upon an acceptable memorial or additional inscription.

• The regulations are for the maintenance, safety and harmony within the Churchyard. A Church of England Churchyard is not a public cemetery, therefore please consult the church and your local mason first and do not assume everything is allowed!

View Official Website - Click HERE

Churchyard Plan (currently unavailable)

Application Form - Click HERE

Address For Application

Cheques payable to:

Reverend Simon Cox

Fees

Church of England Fees Apply - Click HERE

Office Notes

• Most things accepted in this churchyard EXCEPT PHOTOPLAQUES

• Our 3'2" foundations are to be fixed flush

• RING DAVID SMEDLEY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX ON 01253 352743 / 07702 334661

• Grave numbers must be shown on the BACK OF THE MEMORIAL

• Sexton must be informed when memorial is being fixed - this information is on the back of the approved application form