Funerals can be a really difficult time as we mark the end of a life of someone we love, they are an opportunity to thank God for our loved one, to share memories, and to express grief.
Church Ministers are available to take funerals whether in St Leonard’s or at the crematorium followed by a burial or cremation. Your funeral director would be able to advise you in the first instance.
Losing a loved one is a very difficult time for families and there seem to be so many decisions to make. One of these decisions is how to mark the grave. To make this as easy as possible, below are some guidelines to consider when deciding what this may look like.
Procedure for the Introduction of Memorials
A minimum period of six months should normally elapse between the death of a person to be commemorated and an application for the introduction of a memorial.
Permission must be obtained for the introduction of any memorial. The priest-in-charge with responsibility for the area in which the churchyard is situated, may give authority for the introduction of simple memorials in respect of burials complying with these Rules; but other types of memorial must be authorised by the Chancellor under faculty.
Every application to erect a memorial, or place anything whatsoever or to do any works in the churchyard should be made in the first instance in writing to the incumbent, on the form issued by the diocese and obtainable from the church, with a full description of the proposed work.
Permission to erect a memorial should be obtained before the applicant accepts an estimate or otherwise enters into a contract with a funeral director or stonemason.
Dimensions of Headstone
Headstones should be no larger than 1200mm (4ft) high, measured from the surface of the ground, 900mm (3ft) wide and 150mm (6in) thick. They should be no less than 750mm (2ft 6in) high, 500mm (1ft 8in) wide and no less than 75mm (3in) thick (except in the case of slate memorials, which may be thinner but no less than 40mm (1½in thick). These measurements are not intended to define standard proportions of memorials, and memorials may be of any dimensions within the given maxima and minima. (The metric equivalents given above are slightly less than the Imperial dimensions, but are recommended for use by the National Association of Master Masons.)
Over cremated remains, a flat stone not more than 37cms by 30cms may be placed. The practice of installing ‘miniature’ vertical headstones is not permitted (unless it is already the practice in a particular churchyard) as the effect of rows of such stones is displeasing.
Base and Foundation Slab
A headstone must be adequately secured in the ground so as to ensure that it is stable. A headstone may stand on a stone base, provided that it is an integral part of the design and does not project more than 102mm (4in) beyond the headstone in any direction, except where a receptacle for flowers is provided, in which case this may extend up to 200mm (8in) in front of the headstone.
Kerbstones are not normally allowed and not something that can be approved by the priest in charge. We realise that these exist within the churchyard, but in order to obtain permission a faculty application must be made.
All memorials should be made of natural stone (in which case they have a polished surface on the front and on the top surface of the base only), or of hardwood. Stones traditionally used in local buildings, or stones closely similar to them in colour and texture, are to be preferred.
White marble, synthetic stone or plastic are not permitted. Although black granite is common in local authority cemeteries, black, blue or red granites, and granites darker than Rustenburg grey, are discouraged in churchyards and are only permitted where they are already common in the part of the churchyard in which the proposed memorial is to be placed.
Figure sculpture and other statuary must be authorised by faculty.
Headstones need not be restricted to a rectangular shape. However, memorials in the shape of a heart or book are not permitted other than by faculty, nor are railings, chains, chippings or glass shades.
Anything which falls outside of these guidelines will require a faculty application – the form for which can be obtained from the Priest in Charge. This should then be submitted to the Registry, together with a fee of £327.40.
Flowers
Except where the design of a headstone includes an integral receptacle for plants or cut flowers, they may be placed in a removable container (not of glass), which must be sunk completely into the ground.
Wreaths and cut flowers may be placed in such containers or laid on any grave, but must be removed as soon as they appear to be withered. Artificial flowers are not encouraged, and where they are used they may be removed after three months or earlier if they should deteriorate. Bulbs may be planted in the soil of any grave.
Other items
Families, especially in the case of the death of a child, sometimes wish to place other items on the grave. This is discouraged: the items may be stolen or vandalised, and their deterioration can become a source of distress. In any event, they should be removed not later than six months after the burial.
Please do not be offended if those caring for the churchyard remove items that have become weather-beaten and worn.
St Leonard's Church, Thrybergh 