Rules and Regulations in respect of the Borough Cemeteries

1. The Durham Road Cemetery Extension features unique grave types, which are unavailable in the pre-existing sections of the Borough Cemeteries. Each of the six sections in the Extension contains graves of a particular type. Full details of all the grave options are set out in the leaflet, "Durham Road Cemetery (Extension) Grave Options".

2. It is anticipated that these grave types will be incorporated in future extensions to existing cemeteries, and also in any new cemeteries opened by the Council within the Borough. The following regulations will therefore apply, where relevant, to such new cemetery developments. These grave options are summarised as follows:

Pure Lawn Graves

3. The area allocated to a Pure Lawn Grave is approximately152cm (5ft) wide x 305cm (10ft) long, including a concrete memorial beam, approximately 53cm (21") wide.

4. Graves are set out in single rows.

5. The allocation of a newly purchased grave space will normally be the next available grave on the section and row being buried in at that time.

6. Pure Lawn Graves may not be purchased for the sole purpose of burial of cremated remains. However, when the maximum number of full-sized burials has taken place, cremated remains may be placed in the grave subsequently, if there is sufficient room to do so.

7. Pure Lawn Graves are generally excavated for two adult burials, however, excavation for three may be approved, where safe and practicable.

8. Should the unfortunate need arise, a baby or infant may be buried in a Pure Lawn Grave before any adult burials.

9. As soon as possible following the funeral, the Council will turf or seed the whole of the grave.

10. Unlike lawn sections in other parts of the Borough Cemeteries, Pure Lawn Graves in the Durham Road Extension do not feature a Personalisation Area at the head of the grave. The placement of personal items on any part of the grave (other than a few small items on the concrete heading) is not permitted. Similarly, the planting of trees, shrubs, plants or flowers is forbidden. The lawn area across the whole grave space must therefore remain entirely clear, and free of all obstruction.

Lawn Graves with a Short Personalisation Collar

11. The area allocated to a Lawn Grave with a Short Personalisation Collar is approximately152cm (5ft) wide x 305cm (10ft) long.

12. Graves are set out in single rows.

13. The allocation of a newly purchased grave space will normally be the next available grave on the section and row being buried in at that time.

14. Lawn Graves with a Short Personalisation Area may not be purchased for the sole purpose of burial of cremated remains. However, when the maximum number of full-sized burials has taken place, cremated remains may be placed in the grave subsequently, if there is sufficient room to do so.

15. Graves are generally excavated for two adult burials, however, excavation for three may be approved, where safe and practicable.

16. Should the unfortunate need arise, a baby or infant may be buried in a Lawn Grave with a Short Personalisation Area before any adult burials.

17. The grave is pre-fitted with a Short Personalisation Collar, constructed of robust, low-maintenance, recycled material, and measuring approximately 152cm (5ft) wide by 91.5cm (3ft) deep. The Collar is placed at the head of the grave and is supplied with a ground membrane, topped with a quantity of white chippings. The Personalisation Area within the collar may then be used to accommodate a headstone and other personal items, if desired.

18. As soon as possible following the funeral, the Council will turf or seed the remainder of the grave space.

Lawn Graves with a Full Personalisation Collar

19. The area allocated to a Lawn Grave with a Full Personalisation Collar is approximately 152cm (5ft) wide x 305cm (10ft) long.

20. Graves are set out in double rows.

21. The allocation of a newly-purchased grave space will normally be the next available grave on the section and row being buried in at that time.

22. Lawn Graves with a Full Personalisation Collar may not be purchased for the sole purpose of burial of cremated remains. However, when the maximum number of full-sized burials has taken place, cremated remains may be placed in the grave subsequently, if there is sufficient room to do so.

23. Graves are generally excavated for two adult burials, however, excavation for three may be approved, where safe and practicable.

24. Should the unfortunate need arise, a baby or infant may be buried in a Lawn Grave with a Full Personalisation Collar before any adult burials.

25. The grave is pre-fitted with a Full Personalisation Collar, constructed of robust, low-maintenance, recycled material, and measuring approximately 152cm (5ft) wide by 200cm (6ft 7ins) deep. The Collar is placed across the grave space, and is supplied with a reinforcement system comprising tubular steel supports, a steel grid and heavy duty plastic board, and topped with a quantity of white chippings. The Personalisation Area within the Collar may then be used to accommodate a headstone and other personal items, if desired.

26. As soon as possible following the funeral, the Council will turf or seed the remainder of the grave space.

Cremated Remains and Babies' Graves

27.  A single row of each section in the Extension to Durham Road Cemetery is given over to either Cremated Remains or Babies' graves.

28. The area allocated to such graves is approximately 100cm (3ft 3ins) wide x 120cm (4ft) long.

29. The allocation of a newly-purchased grave space will normally be the next available grave on the section and row being buried in at that time.

30. A cremated remains grave may not contain more than two burials of cremated remains.

31. It is the responsibility of the funeral director or funeral organiser to bring the cremated remains to the cemetery.

32. Cremated remains must be buried in a suitable container.

33. A baby's grave may not contain more than one burial.

34. The grave is pre-fitted with a Personalisation Collar, constructed of robust, low-maintenance, recycled material, and measuring approximately 100cm (3ft 3ins) square. The Collar is placed at the head of the grave and is supplied with a ground membrane, and topped with a quantity of white chippings. The Personalisation Area within the Collar may then be used to accommodate a vase or headstone, and other personal items, if desired.

35. As soon as possible following the funeral, the Council will replace the turf over the remaining grave space.

Personalisation Collars

36. The following additional provisions apply to graves fitted with Personalisation Collars.

37. Personalisation Collars are not to be removed, repositioned, shortened, extended, dismantled or replaced or augmented with any other form of grave surround, kerb or edging. Should a Grantee have any issue with their Personalisation Collar, they should contact Bereavement Services.

38. If desired, the polar white chippings supplied with the Personalisation Collar may be replaced with chippings of a different colour, at the Grantee's own expense.

39. Although a wide variety of personal items may be placed within the Personalisation Collar, the following articles are not permitted:

• glass, porcelain, brittle plastics and other fragile items
• balloons
• noisy items

40. No planting is allowed within the Personalisation Collar. All flowers, plants and small shrubs should be in vases or containers, and placed within the area of the Personalisation Collar.

41. The placement of personal items on any part of the grave outside the Personalisation Collar is not permitted. Similarly, the planting of any trees, shrubs, plants or flowers on the lawn area is forbidden. The lawn area across the remaining grave space must remain entirely clear, and free of all obstruction.

Benches and Trees in the Durham Road Extension

42. Regulations 23 and 24 apply equally to benches and trees in the Durham Road Extension. Personalisation of benches and trees is not permitted. Floral tributes and personal items may not be placed upon a bench or tree, or in its vicinity. If such items are found, they will become subject to the procedure set out at Regulation 28 (43-46) below.

Enforcement of Regulations as to Grave Personalisation in the Durham Road Extension

43. The grave options available in the Durham Road Cemetery Extension are not interchangeable, and it is not possible to apply the personalisation characteristics of one grave type against another. For this reason, it is imperative that individuals and families are fully aware of the level of personalisation that is permissible on their chosen grave. Families are again referred to our leaflet, "Durham Road Cemetery (Extension) Grave Options" for full details. The staff of Bereavement Services will be pleased to assist families in making the most appropriate choice.

44. The Cemeteries Superintendent is authorised to rectify or remove anything which does not comply with these Regulations. If any personal items or plants are placed in breach of these regulations, then the following enforcement procedure will be implemented.

45. Where a small number of items are found to be outside the Personalisation Collar, the Cemeteries Superintendent will carefully move those items back into the approved area, and inform the Grantee(s) of this action by letter.

46. Where there are a large number of items that cannot all be moved into the Personalisation Collar, the Cemeteries Superintendent will contact the Grantee(s) by letter, and:

• request the removal of the items within 14 days
• advise that failure to do so will result in the items being stored, on-site, for 3 months
• notify that arrangements for collection of the items can be made within the 3-month period, by contacting Bereavement Services 
• confirm that, in the absence of any communication, all such items will be disposed of at the end of the 3-month period

47. The Council is not responsible for monitoring who may be permitted to leave a tribute in any given Personalisation Collar, or on any other part of a grave.

48. To be able to contact Grantees, it is very important that Bereavement Services are informed of any changes of address.