Grave spaces for both burials and cremated remains are allocated in sequence as determined by the Bilton Parish Council Committee.
On the purchase of a lease on a burial or Garden of Remembrance plot you will be issued a Deed of Grant for exclusive right of burial in that plot. The Deed of Grant is an important document and it should be kept in a safe place. It will need to be produced whenever any business concerning the plot is being undertaken, such as ordering a memorial headstone and organising a funeral or interment of cremated remains.
As the Deed of grant is for exclusive right of burial only, placing of memorial stones are subject to approval from Committee and payment of the relevant fee. The memorial mason will normally undertake this on your behalf and will advise you accordingly.
Bilton cemetery is maintained to a high standard so as to be a peaceful and welcoming place for everyone to remember their loved ones. As the named lease holder, you are solely responsible for ensuring that the rules of Bilton Cemetery are complied with in respect of the plot. If the rules are contravened, you will be sent a written notification advising you of the details of the breach and the action you are required to undertake to rectify this. Should you fail to rectify the issue within the time granted in the notification, the Committee will take action to resolve this.
Prior to headstones being erected, a temporary marker may be placed at the head of the grave, on the area where the headstone will be fixed. This may take the form of a wooden cross of no more that 2′ high or a stone or plastic vase. In the interest of health and safety, glass vases are not permitted anywhere in the cemetery.
Headstones for burial plots
Headstone may not be erected until at least 6 months after the date of burial. This is to allow a sufficient period for ground settlement to ensure maximum stability for the headstone.
They may be made of granite, marble, slate, limestone or sandstone of any colour and may be of either a lawn type (headstone and base fixed on a foundation slab) or monolith type (upright memorial – with or without a push base – with at least 25% below ground level and fixed in a sub-surface shoe).
All memorials are to be provided and fixed by an accredited memorial mason and are to comply with British Standard 8415. Whilst not compulsory, it is recommended that you select a mason who is registered with the National Association or Memorial Masons (NAMM) or the British Association of Memorial Masons (BRAMM) as both organisations require their members to comply with strict codes of business and working practice and can offer assistance in the event of you being dissatisfied with any part of the service you may receive from the memorial mason.
The dimensions of the headstone shall not exceed:
Lawn type memorials
- Headstone: 2’6″ high, 24″ wide, 4″ thick
- Foundation: 36″ wide, 18″ deep, 3″ thick
The headstone and base are to be of the same material and colour and are to be fixed together with stainless steel dowels.
The foundation may be of pre-cast concrete or granite. The top of the foundation is to be at ground level and is to be secured with an approved ground anchor system.
Monolith type memorials
- Headstone: 34″ high from ground level, 24″ wide, 4″ thick
- Push base: 30″ wide, 12″ deep – to extend no more than 8″ to the front and 1″ to the rear of the headstone if of the “wraparound” type, 4″ thick
Memorials for Garden of Remembrance plots
The concrete kerb at the front of the plot only may be replaced with a marble or granite kerb of any colour. This may contain an inscription if desired. The rear or side kerbs are to remain in place.
Additional to the front kerb, the following memorials may also be placed within the perimeter of the plot:
- Sloping desk tablet of no more than 18″ square and 6″ high.
- Flat memorial tablet of no more than 18″ square and 2″ high.
- Vase of no more than 8″ x 8″ x 8″.
These memorials may be of any colour but this must match the colour and material of the front kerb if this has been replaced. They are to be fixed to a pre-cast concrete foundation base of no more than 21″ square.
The inside of the plot may be filled with loose stone chippings of either marble, granite or slate.
Permitted displays
Up to two vases per plot, integral to the memorial, either as containers set in holes or as vases supplied and securely fixed to the memorial by the stonemason Fresh or silk flowers are allowed but silk flowers are to be renewed when faded to keep the cemetery looking fresh and tidy.
All displays are to be restricted to the headstone area of burial plots or the inside perimeter of the remembrance plot as appropriate. No item is to be placed outside these areas.
Displays not permitted
- Ornaments of any kind.
- Glass vases or containers.
- Ornamental pots.
- Soft toys.
- Wind chimes.
- Flags.
- Glasses, bottles or cans of beer etc.
- Candles or lanterns.
- Fencing of any kind.
- Ornamental stones.
- Any item with sticks or spikes.
- Metal structures (brass, copper, steel, wrought iron etc).
- Any item deemed inappropriate or hazardous by the Parish Council.
Miscellaneous
No games or sports to be played in any part of the cemetery.
No trees or shrubs to be planted with the express written permission of the Burial Committee.
All dogs are to be under control and on a short lead at all times. Keep to the paths and do not allow your dogs onto the graves. You MUST clean up after your dog and take the waste away with you for disposal.
No children under 12 are permitted in the cemetery unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
No visitor shall cut, pick, fell or remove from the cemetery any flower, tree, shrub, nor sit on any memorial, monument, headstone, structure other than a seat provided for that purpose.
Litter and withered flowers should be taken home for disposal in your domestic refuse.
Visitors to the cemetery are to behave in a quiet and dignified manner to preserve the quiet reverence and peaceful atmosphere of the cemetery.
Although not compulsory, all risks insurance for your memorial stone is recommended. Your memorial mason will be able to offer further guidance on this.
The Burial Committee reserves the right to alter, amend or add to these regulations.
The clerk to Bilton Parish Council will be please to render whatever help or advice is needed. Enquiries can to be made to clerk@biltonparishcouncil.org