21/01/2026
As part of our ongoing commitment to public safety, we will soon be carrying out memorial safety testing across our cemeteries. This work is essential to help ensure that memorials remain safe for visitors, staff, and contractors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🌳Why do we test memorials?🌳
Over time, memorials can become unstable due to ground movement, weather conditions, age, or wear. Testing helps us identify any memorials that may pose a risk and allows us to take steps to prevent accidents or injuries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🌿What will happen during testing?🌿
• Clear signage will be placed on the cemetery gates and in the surrounding sections being tested.
• Memorials will be checked using a hand pressure test, which simulates someone leaning on a memorial or using it to support themselves when standing up.
• If a memorial is found to be unsafe, a temporary safety notice will be placed on it to warn visitors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🕊Contacting grave owners🕊
Every effort will be made to contact the registered grave owner by letter and telephone if a memorial is identified as unsafe.
To help us do this, we kindly ask that you ensure your grave ownership details are up to date, especially if the grave owner is also buried in the plot. This helps us minimize any upset or distress and ensures we can communicate quickly and sensitively.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🌿How the work will be carried out🌿
Testing will be completed one cemetery at a time, section by section, to reduce disruption as much as possible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‼️If you are contacted or find a label on your memorial‼️
If you are visiting a grave and see that there has been a label placed upon the memorial, please do not remove, contact the Cemetery Office who will be able to advise you on next steps. Some of the options to make the memorial safe, could include contacting a memorial mason, or the stone being respectfully laid down.
We understand that memorials are deeply personal, and we approach this work with care and respect. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep our cemeteries safe for everyone.
We have a leaflet available full of the FAQs, we can send this over digitally or we can post one out to you, alternatively you are more than welcome to pop into the office and a member of staff will get one for you to take away.
