Our Cemeteries
Memorials in cemeteries
Within most of our cemeteries you can purchase tree’s and benches to remember loved ones.
Contact the office on 01983 882288 to book an appointment and discuss your options.
You can also purchase memorial headstones though an accredited memorial mason.
Our cemeteries
We are responsible for maintaining 12 cemeteries and 11 closed churchyards across the Island.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
There are a number of war graves within the council managed cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). If you would like to learn more about their work, visit CWGC
Headstone safety testing
For reasons of safety, and in line with policy, memorials are routinely inspected and tested for stability. Each memorial is carefully assessed by a visual and simple hand test to check for movement.
Memorials in a dangerous, unsafe condition may be laid flat on top of the grave space. Graves may also be cordoned or taped off or warning signs may be erected.
It is important to remember that whilst we undertake memorial safety checks on a regular basis, by placing a memorial in the cemetery you are accepting a number of responsibilities.
- the memorial remains the property of its owner and does not become the property of the Authority at any time.
- you are required to maintain your memorial to a safe condition. Regular maintenance by an approved mason is recommended – they will inspect it and professionally carry out any repairs needed. You may wish to discuss and purchase insurance cover for your memorial.
Cemetery maintenance
We follow a regular maintenance programme in all of our Cemeteries ensuring all grass, hedges and shrubs are cut and trimmed within each cemetery, to ensure they remain places of peaceful reflection.
The grass is cut regularly, typically monthly, depending on weather conditions and interments (burials).
All maintenance is weather dependent.
Following a burial
- 14 to 21 days – floral tributes will be removed
- interment date to 20 weeks later – the grave will be reviewed and topped up as necessary unless the grave is obviously being maintained by family
- after 20 weeks – the grave will be reviewed again and turfed or grass seeded unless it is obviously being maintained by family
- it can take up to 12 months, depending on ground conditions, for the grave to settle fully.
From 12 months after a burial
Headstones may be erected.
We will always strim the grass around a headstone or kerb set but we cannot take any responsibility for plants, ornaments or any other items left in the grounds.
Cemetery regulations
We are responsible for providing regulations for the management and administration of our cemeteries.
Our regulations are designed to inform and provide guidance to all who have an active interest within our cemeteries.
The regulations also establish rules and codes of conduct in line with statutory burial law.
Our cemeteries are managed in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977
The regulations apply to all our cemeteries.
You can download the cemetery regulations document below.
The service manager's decision in respect of matters of interpretation of these regulations and all matters relating to the management of the cemeteries administered by us shall be final.
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