GREAT WAKERING PARISH COUNCIL
LAWN BURIAL-GROUND
The Council publishes this leaflet to advise persons wishing to acquire rights of burial in a private grave in
the Parish Council's Lawn Burial-Ground.
Instructions for interment will only be accepted where the person desiring to be the registered lessee of the
rights of burial gives acknowledgement of this leaflet in writing on the burial order form.
The idea of Lawn Burial-Grounds was largely inspired by the work of the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission. Each grave is laid in an avenue of level grass and may, if the registered lessee so wishes, be
marked at the head by a memorial comprising a headstone set on a base. Once in position it does not
require to be removed for any re-opening of the grave and as it also stands on ground which has not been
disturbed a lawn headstone can be safely erected any time after the first interment without risk of
movement due to settlement of the soil. Where it is the wish of the family to defer the erection of a stone
or in the case where a stone is not required, the border reserved for the monument may be used to
accommodate a container for cut flowers provided it is sunk to ground level. Pots, jars, or any other
container not complying with this requirement will be removed without notice.
Wreaths and floral tributes placed on the grave area at the time of the interment are allowed to remain for
approximately one week after which they will be removed. This is to allow the grave to settle in order that
the grass can be re-established. If re-seeding or turf is required at any time the Council will do this without
charge.
The current requirements of the Council relating to monuments are as follows: 1.
The monument to be made of natural stone, any colour naturally occurring within that stone is
permissible.
2.
The monument to be 3' 0" (900 mm) at its overall height measured from ground level, comprising a
headstone 3" (75 mm) thick and 2' 6" (750 mm) wide permanently fixed by two dowels on a base of
the same material 3' 0" (900 mm) long, 18" (450 mm) wide and 4" (100 mm) thick. Provision can be
made on the base for up to two flower vases by setting the headstone 2.5" (65 mm) from the back
edge of the base. The whole memorial to be erected and fixed by dowels on a concrete sub-base size
3' 0" (900 mm) x 18" (450 mm) x 3" (75 mm) set with its upper surface at ground level. All
memorials must be fixed to the NAMM Code of Practice using Ground Anchors.
3.
The grave number to be permanently inscribed in figures not exceeding 1" (25 mm) high on the righthand front face of the base.
4.
The mason's name may, if required, be inscribed on the left-hand side face of the base (when viewing
the monument from the front).
Applications for the Council's permission to erect a headstone are usually submitted via the firm of
stonemasons acting on behalf of the grave lessee. It is important that the application accurately quotes the
grave number concerned and is signed by the lessee.
All enquiries should be made to the Clerk to the Parish Council whose decision is final.