Headstones in Birmingham Cemeteries.
Rules and regulations for Headstones and Gravestones
in Birmingham Cemeteries, including:
Kings Norton Cemetery
Lodge Hill Cemetery
Brandwood End Cemetery
Sutton Coldfield Cemetery
Yardley Cemetery
Witton Cemetery
Handsworth Cemetery
The regulations depend on the type of section in which the burial or
cremation has taken place.
On a “Traditional” plot
kerb surrounds are allowed. The maximum size is 6’6” x 3’0” overall, with the kerbs not
less than 6” high x 3” wide. If a photoplaque
is fitted it must not exceed 6” x 4”.
Type “Lawn
A” plots have a headstone up to
36” max high
x 27” wide x 3” to 6” thick.
No base is allowed.
Type “Lawn
B” plots have a headstone up
to 54” max high x 30” max wide x
2” minimum
thickness (up to 30” high) or 3” min. (if over
30” high) up to
a maximum of 18” thick.
The base must be a minimum of 3” thick, up to
30” wide and a
minimum of 10” deep, up to a maximum of 18” deep.
Type “CA” Cremation
plots have a Tablet 15” x 12” x 2”.
Type “D” Cremation
plots are ledgers 24” wide x 16” deep x
6” thick sloping
to 2”, with
a 6” flat
to accommodate a flower container (if required).
This is an outline of the regulations stated by Birmingham City
Council, but cannot be taken as pertaining to every grave or every cemetery, there may
be exceptions.
For advice on regulations in Birmingham Cemeteries call Pollard
Memorials on : 01676 534618,
or email : team@pollardmemorials.co.uk
Correct at time of publication - Sept. 2013
Jim Pollard
Pollard Memorials
What is a
“ground anchor system” when putting up a headstone ?
By Jim Pollard - Pollard
Memorials
Within the last 8 years or so, there have
been a lot of changes in the Monumental Industry.
Due to concerns for safety of the public visiting
Council Cemeteries, and Churchyard Burial Grounds, it has been required that
authorities ensure that people can’t be injured by headstones falling, or being pushed,
over.
Many Councils are testing every memorial in
their cemeteries and churchyards every five years, to ensure that the memorials have not
become unstable. (Memorials which fail are the responsibility of the grave owner, and must
be rectified)
Previously, memorials were cemented
together, with dowels between the headstone and the base, but no means of holding the base
to the foundation if the cement joint failed. This meant in some cases that it was possible
for a headstone to be pushed over, or in extreme cases fall
over.
With children and the elderly visiting
cemeteries, it was thought necessary to take steps to ensure that things were
safe.
All memorials must now be fixed using a
"mechanical fixing method" to ensure that the memorial cannot be pulled or pushed
over.
In practice this means that a stainless
steel bar is set into the base of the memorial, and through the foundation
(which must now be of a size set by the National Association of Memorial Masons “”Code of
Working Practice) holding the base in place. The headstone is then dowelled into the base,
again with stainless steel dowels, so that the whole structure is
sound.
The Code of Working Practice sets out the
specifications for the size of holes which are drilled, and the diameter of the steel
components. These have been rigorously tested to see that the memorial will be safe, even
if pushed or pulled.
Memorial Masons must now pass exams to show
that they understand this code, and how to work safely within Burial
Grounds.
Masons who pass these exams are then placed
on a register, either the National Association “Register of Qualified Memorial
Fixers” (RQMF), or the
British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons” (BRAMM).
As long as Masons or on at least one of
these registers they are allowed to fix memorials in cemeteries and
churchyards.
Jim
Pollard
Pollard
Memorials
Can an Old
Marble Headstone be cleaned?
By Jim Pollard – Pollard
Memorials
When I started in the memorial
business, over 26 years ago, Marble was seen as a great material for Headstones. It’s
easy to carve and gives a nice sharp edge to the letters.
However, in the last decade or
so Marble Headstones have been subject to being eroded by acid rain and other
pollutants, so that they go grey or black, and in some cases the lead lettering
appears to be raised or sometimes falls out.
Rust is also a major problem
with marble – the material itself doesn’t rust, but if wreaths are placed with wire
in them, the wire can rust which seeps into the marble, and may be impossible to get
out.
Because of the nature of the
material, and the lettering, it’s difficult for you to clean these memorials
yourself. Some people use bleach – but if too strong this will make the marble go
yellow. If the lead lettering is not secure, scrubbing on the surface will damage
them, and may make the letters fall out.
Getting these memorials back to
looking good is possible, but unfortunately, unless they are maintained, can quickly
become dirty again.
Most monumental masons will give
you a free quote on how much can be done, and the cost to do this work. We use a
combination of methods, depending on what needs to be done, and this can range from
scrubbing over the letters (if they are sound enough) to re-facing the memorial and
re-lettering.
There are many examples
of Marble Memorials being renovated back to
looking new, and they stand out well against memorials which haven’t been
cleaned.
Once the memorial has been
cleaned it’s best to wash it over once or twice a year to keep it looking good.
Marble Headstones left with no maintenance will quickly go back to being
dirty.
Many people decide that
renovating a memorial that will get dirty again is a false economy and replace the
memorial with one made from Granite.
Granite is a very durable
material, and doesn’t suffer from the elements in the same way that marble
does.
If you need more information,
talk to your local Monumental Mason, who should be able to advise you on the best
course of action.
Jim
Pollard
Pollard
Memorials
Can you change a headstone without the
grave deeds?
By Jim Pollard – Pollard
Memorials
Is it possible to place a headstone without having the grave
deeds?
The answer is – it depends!
Many Local Authorities will allow a headstone to be placed or replaced
without the actual deeds, (the piece of paper that says you are responsible for the
grave), as long as you can get the signature of the Grave Owner.
The Grave Owner is the person, often in the family, who signed to say
that they would take responsibility for the grave, usually when the funeral or cremation
was arranged at the Funeral Directors. The Funeral Director is not the owner of the
grave deeds.
The Grave Owner is usually the only person who can say whether a stone
can be placed, or re-placed.
However, if they grave owner is deceased, or no longer wants
responsibility for the grave, it may be possible for the local authority to allow a
re-assignment of the grave deeds to someone else.
So the best plan is to ask the Local Authority if you want a
re-assignment, but it’s very unlikely they will do it if the grave owner is alive and
unwilling to give up ownership.
Churchyards are much more restrictive in what’s allowed, and this is
due to the Diocese Regulations. Anything unusual is likely to be refused, or passed on
to the Diocese for their comments.
Jim Pollard
Pollard Memorials
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