A Guide to Headstone and Memorial Regulations

When it comes to erecting memorials in churchyards and cemeteries across the UK, there are specific regulations and guidelines that must be adhered to. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in the rejection of the proposed memorial, which is why it’s so important to get it right the first time.

In this article, the Memorial Group will be providing a quick guide to understanding and navigating the memorial regulations of churchyards and cemeteries.

Churchyard regulations

Churchyards regulations, set by the Church, serve to maintain a particular atmosphere and feel within the grounds, as well as to remain in keeping with the Christian faith. While each churchyard will have its own set of rules and regulations, here are some of the common ones it’s worth being aware of:

• Full names: Memorials must show the full names of the deceased.
• Religious inscriptions: Inscriptions must align with the Christian faith.
• Non-reflective stones: Stones must be non-reflective and without polish or shine, so as to not draw too much attention away from other memorials.
• Kerb sets: While rarely permitted, kerb-sets can be requested, subject to approval.
• Flower vases: Only one flower vase may be fitted into the base of the headstone.
• Ceramic photo plaques: These are prohibited.
• Lawn memorials: The preferred choice, with prescribed dimensions of 2’6″ high, 1’9″ wide and 3″ thick.

While these regulations may appear to be on the stricter side, exceptions can be made through formal applications. It’s important to note that while some churchyards may feature polished memorials, current regulations would not grant permission for such installations. The Church has the authority to remove any memorials that violate established rules, so it’s better to be safe and stay on the right side of the regulations.

Cemetery regulations

In contrast to churchyards, cemeteries tend to offer more flexibility in memorial design and expression, so this could be a good route if that’s what you’re looking for.

Here’s a flavour of some of the things that might be allowed in a cemetery but not in a churchyard:

• Diverse designs: Cemeteries often permit a range of designs, sizes, types and colours of stone for memorials, a great option if you want to honour your loved one in a creative way.
• Artistic elements: Many cemeteries allow for the incorporation of artwork and varied wording to create unique and distinctive memorials.
• Photo plaques: Unlike churchyards, usage of photo plaques is often permitted, offering families the opportunity to personalise memorials with images

Given that regulations tend to vary depending on location, it’s important to consult with your local authority, private cemetery, or churchyard to ensure compliance. Understanding these regulations will ensure the seamless approval of your memorial, which is something that will make the process of honouring your loved one that much more special and memorable.

Memorial Group has been offering a range of memorial services to the communities of Essex, North London and East London since 1894, so we’re well-versed in memorial regulations of all kinds. If you have any questions for our team about regulations in the local area, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.