Memorials and monuments
Your Rights
(From The Charter for the Bereaved)
Right 5: You have the right to place a memorial within the constraints of regulations in force or to leave the grave unmarked.
Right 6: You have the right and responsibility to maintain the memorial upon the grave during the period of grave rights granted to you, or any extension made to this period. The memorial cannot be disturbed or moved during this period without your express permission, unless it poses a safety hazard. The safe erection and maintenance of the memorial is your responsibility during the period of rights.
Right 7: Except where the Charter members are the sole supplier of memorials, you have the right to use any memorial mason of your choice, provided they are not prohibited by the Charter Member.
FAQs
A monument is anything above the level of the ground that is placed on the grave as a tribute to those buried there. It could take many forms but may include stone, wood, mounded earth and/or plants.
To place a monument on a grave you must first purchase the grave. This entails a one-off fee that gives you Exclusive Rights of Burial for the grave and the right to erect a monument for a period of 30 or 75 years. This period may be extended after the initial period is up.
After a funeral, we will mound the earth on the grave and put the flowers and wreaths on top. After a month (or less if the weather is bad) we will remove all floral tributes and dispose of them. Please do not plant anything directly into the mound. Flowers may be left in a container (not glass, ceramic or thin plastic) and must be sited on the plinth/ next to the Headstone, or in the area where a Headstone would be fitted. You may put a wooden cross up to 500mm (18") high on the grave temporarily. When six months has passed you may erect a permanent monument. There is no need to wait until the end of the six months to apply however.
Old GoR / S plots
These graves are solely for the interment of ashes. The stone must be a flat tablet & measure 18"x18".
Sundial and B plots in this area must also be flat tablets measuring 10"x10". If you wish to leave floral tributes on the grave the stone can be fitted with a small flower vase. Tributes left around the stone are not allowed, nor is planting through the vase hole.
The CP plots are located within our new extension at Tiverton cemetery known as the garden of remembrance. These plots can be marked with a choice of Tablet, Plaque or Headstone, however these must not measure more than 18" squared and must be sited on a 20" x 20" concrete base.
Crediton new GoR – These plots can be marked by either a flat or a desk vase (DVT) tablet with 20" x 20" concrete bases being optional.
Again, tributes left around the stone are not allowed and may be removed. Nor is planting through the vase hole.
If you do not wish to use a stonemason you must submit your own Memorial application form available from us. You must satisfy us that you are competent to construct the memorial yourself. We will inspect the monument as it is built and may ask you to remove or rebuild any monument that we do not consider to be safe.
Yes - if you wish to leave a mound upon the grave you still need to apply by completing our Memorial application form to do so.
However mounds will NOT be allowed in the new extension on the plots pre fixed with E. If you do not express to keep the mound by six months after the funeral we will remove the mound. If you keep a mound on the grave you must arrange to cut the grass regularly or have it cut for you.
Unkempt mounds may be removed.
You may apply to have any kind of memorial you like. We will consider each memorial on its own merits and will generally approve any monument as long as it is not in bad taste and is sufficiently well constructed to be safe for at least the period of the Rights. If we refuse permission you will be given a full written explanation. The type of monument and colour you want may be limited by the area of the cemetery your grave is in. Please contact Bereavement Services who will advise.
No, but if you do they must be members of our Approved Contractors Scheme and they will usually advise you and then submit an application on your behalf.
On occasions there may be an interment in an adjacent grave. If necessary we may have to erect a cover over your monument to protect it and soil may be placed on this cover. Your grave may be inaccessible for a few days. In extreme circumstances, it may be necessary to remove your monument for safety reasons. We will be fully responsible for restoring your monument in a safe and clean state after the funeral.
While vandalism is a very rare event in our cemeteries, regrettably it can occur from time to time. We cannot be held liable for any damage caused by the irresponsible actions of others, although we will prosecute anyone caught causing vandalism. We strongly recommend that grave owners take out insurance to protect your property.