Rules and regulations made by Norwich City Council for the management of Earlham and Rosary Cemeteries. (Local Government Act 1972 & Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977).
Opening hours
Opening times (weekends include Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays)
1 January to Spring clocks change
- Weekends 8am to 4.30pm
- Weekdays 7.30am to 4.30pm
Spring clocks change to third Sunday in April
- Weekends 8am to 6pm
- Weekdays 7.30am to 6pm
Third Sunday in April to 30 April
- Weekends 8am to 7pm
- Weekdays 7.30am to 7pm
1 May to 31 August
- Weekends 8am to 8pm
- Weekdays 7.30am to 8pm
1 September to 30 September
- Weekends 8am to 7pm
- Weekdays 7.30am to 7pm
1 October to Autumn clock change
- Weekends 8am to 6pm
- Weekdays 7.30am to 6pm
Autumn clock change to 31 December
- Weekends 8am to 4.30pm
- Weekdays 7.30am to 4.30pm
Administration
The “Burial authority” referred to in this document is Norwich City Council. These rules and regulations will be applied and enforced by designated officers working for the burial authority.
The ‘cemeteries’ referred to in this document are the Earlham Cemetery on Earlham Road, Norwich and the Rosary Cemetery on Rosary Road, Norwich.
All correspondence should be addressed to: Bereavement services, Norwich City Council, City Hall, St Peters Street, Norwich, NR2 1NH.
Bereavement services are contactable Monday – Friday between 10am to 3pm via email on bereavementservices@norwich.gov.uk
Our telephone service is open from 10am – 12pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The telephone number is 01603 989650.
At all other times voicemail is available – we aim to return calls within two working days.
These regulations are made under the Local Government Act 1972 & Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977 as amended by Local Authorities’ Cemeteries (Amendment) Order 1986 and the burial authority will review and amend these regulations as necessary.
Regulations have always existed in cemeteries and are a necessary requirement for the effective management of a burial facility and to ensure that the cemeteries are maintained for quiet contemplation.
These rules and regulations should be read in their entirety. Section headings are not exclusive and all regulations apply equally to all cemetery users.
As well as the following rules and regulations, the Local Authority Cemeteries Order 1977 applies. In particular, Clause 3(1) of this order states that:
'Subject to the provisions of this order, a burial authority may do all such things as they consider necessary or desirable for the proper management, regulation and control of a cemetery.'
General conduct from visitors to the cemeteries
1. All persons are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and should keep to all roads and footpaths when not attending graves. All vehicles being driven within the cemetery are limited to a maximum speed of 5mph.
2. Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by a responsible person.
3. Visitors should always deposit their dead flowers and other litter in the litter bins provided.
4. Dogs are not permitted onto the cemetery grounds except assistance dogs supporting registered disabled persons.
5. No person shall offer goods for sale or solicit orders for the sale of any goods within the cemeteries.
6. Visitors or other persons shall not interfere with any workmen employed by the burial authority and shall not employ them to execute any private work whatsoever within the cemeteries.
Offences in the cemeteries
7. No person shall:
(a) wilfully create a disturbance in the cemeteries
(b) commit any nuisance in the cemeteries
(c) wilfully interfere with any burial taking place in the cemeteries
(d) wilfully interfere with any grave, vault, tombstone or other memorial, or any flowers or plants on any such manner
(e) play any games or sport in the cemeteries
8. No person, not being an officer of the burial authority, or another person so authorised by or on behalf of the burial authority, shall enter or remain in the cemeteries at any hour when it is closed to the public.
Penalties
9. Every person who contravenes paragraphs 7 and 8 shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a fine not exceeding £10 for each day during which the offence continues after conviction therefore, in accordance with articles 18 and 19 of the Local Authorities Cemeteries order 1977.
Conditions regulating burials
10. Burials times are arranged on Monday to Friday (excluding Bank holidays) between the hours of 9.15am – 1:30pm.
Ashes interments are arranged on Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:15am – 1:45pm.
The time arranged for a committal, graveside or ashes burial service is the time when the cortege should be at the graveside. We allow up to 45 minutes for the complete service.
11. The burial authority may, from time to time, need to make certain burial times unavailable because of operational issues.
12. The burial certificate or order must be received by the bereavement’s office a minimum of 2 full working days prior to the funeral taking place. Failure to provide this document may result in delays or the cancellation of the funeral.
13. The location of each new burial plot will be allocated by the burial authority. Where a new burial plot is required (i.e. the burial will not be in an existing, purchased plot) all reasonably practicable efforts will be made to accommodate the last wishes of the deceased and the preferences of bereaved families. The final decision on the allocation and use of any new burial plot rests with the burial authority. Our standard grave width and length will accommodate traditional shaped coffins to a maximum size of: 6’10” long x 2’6” wide x 1’3” deep, including handles.
If a larger or outsized coffin or casket is required for a future reopen of an existing grave, there may be issues with the allocated space. This is because the plot has previously been prepared to accommodate a standard size coffin. In these instances, we may not be able to accommodate the wishes of the family. On occasions, alternative burial arrangements may be necessary, which could include burial in an alternative location.
14. Those families requiring interments to be in a designated faith section should make their wishes clear to their funeral director. Such requests will be accommodated subject to sufficient space being available in the appropriate section. The council takes advice from religious faith groups regarding interments within the designated sections. However, no third party has the right to preclude a burial within any burial section.
15. Persons who are authorised by the burial authority will ensure the back filling of any graves as necessary. However, in the event of relatives and friends wishing to do so, this will be permitted at the discretion of the funeral director and with a minimum of 48 hours prior notice to the burial authority. The funeral director will be responsible for all arrangements, including risk assessments, relating to any additional activities at graveside.
16. No burial will be permitted on Sundays or public holidays. Burials on Saturdays will only occur with the prior approval of the burial authority and subject to staff availability.
17. Funeral directors must arrange, where necessary, for memorials to be removed from the grave to allow graves to be reopened, within 48 hours of the request for interment.
The memorial shall subsequently be dealt with in accordance with the directions of the burial authority. Responsibility for any memorial removed in error will remain with the funeral director at whose expense the memorial will be reinstated to the satisfaction of the Exclusive Rights To Burial Holder.
18. Reinstatement of headstone memorials following an interment is not permitted for at least a period of six months, to allow for settlement of the plot. After this time the instruction of the Exclusive Rights To Burial Holder to the funeral director or monumental mason may be carried out.
19. All graves within the cemeteries will be excavated, without exception, by authorised contractors of the burial authority. Graves will be excavated to the depth and size instructed by the burial authority.
20. Floral tributes that are placed on the grave after a funeral should be removed when the tributes are seen to be decaying. If these are not removed by the owner, the burial authority may arrange for them to be disposed of.
21. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary for the soil that is excavated from a grave being prepared for an interment to be laid onto an adjacent grave. The burial authority will ensure that this is for the shortest time possible and any adjacent grave affected will be protected by boards on the grave and in front of any headstone. This will only occur if the soil cannot reasonably be placed elsewhere and after the funeral any affected grave will be fully reinstated.
22. In some cases, for cultural, religious or public health reasons, there may be a request for a burial to take place at short notice. In such circumstances the burial authority will make reasonable efforts to arrange the burial within the specified period, however, as these situations are exceptional, no guarantee can be provided. The scheduling of any funeral is always at the discretion of the burial authority.
23. All bodies must be prepared for interment before being brought to the cemetery.
24. No coffin/container will be accepted at a cemetery unless the name of the deceased therein is clearly shown.
25. The identity shown on the coffin/container will be verified to the council’s officer in attendance at the funeral by the funeral director at each burial service.
26. After the coffin/container and body have been committed into the grave they shall not be removed or otherwise disturbed except for lawful exhumation by licence and or faculty or by the order of the coroner.
27. Following the interment of cremated remains on the Rosary Cemetery, the burial authority will cover cremated plots with white stone chippings. Any other style of chippings or flora is not permitted, and the burial authority will remove any unauthorised covering.
28. Coffins must be used to transport the deceased to the cemeteries. Shroud interments are permitted within designated areas, please contact bereavement services for more information prior to booking an interment to discuss your requirements.
Conditions regulating funeral directors
29. All funeral directors are required to provide to the burial authority annually and also on receipt of any specific request from the burial authority, the following documentation:
1) Full risk assessments and method statement showing how work will be undertaken and what measures will be taken to minimise the risk of personal injury or damage to property. These must cover all aspects of work the funeral director is likely to undertake, including any activities within the cemetery that are associated with the funeral service (including any activities associated with funeral services based on religious beliefs) and all issues relating to vehicle access and movements within the cemeteries.
2) A copy of their incident reporting mechanisms and procedures in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).
3) A copy of their health and safety policy and codes of practice.
4) A copy of their Public and Employee Liability insurance with at least £5 million cover. Copies also to be provided to the burial authority upon policy renewal.
Conditions regulating graves
30. Plants and flowers may be planted in approved area’s within the grave space of a purchased grave subject to the Exclusive Rights To Burial Holder consent and with permission from the local authority.
31. No trees, shrubs or other vegetation of any kind should be planted on or around graves or anywhere in the cemeteries. The burial authority may prune, cut down or remove any vegetation which, in the opinion of the burial authority, has become unsightly, overgrown or is interfering with graves.
32. No trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, windmills, lights, toys or memorabilia of any kind may be grown or placed on any grave in the (MM, OO, LL, NN, PP and sections 62 to 70 inclusive). Any such items will be removed by the burial authority.
Turfing or seeding of graves after interment will be carried out within 12 months of the burial, within the turfing and seeding season which is October – April.
33. The marking of the grave space in either cemetery is by using approved memorials.
Raised kerb sets and fencing of any kind are not permitted on any plot in either cemetery.
No grave mound, kerbing, kerb sets, or fencing of any style or height is permitted on (MM, OO, LL, NN, PP and sections 62 to 70 inclusive). Any such additions will be removed by the burial authority. As will any items deemed to be of a risk to wildlife and health and safety anywhere within the cemeteries.
34. The burial authority is not responsible for any items placed in the cemeteries by grave owners or cemetery visitors and may remove any such items placed in the cemeteries at any time and without prior notice.
35. The burial authority may take over the maintenance of any grave where, in the opinion of the burial authority, the grave has not been suitably maintained. The burial authority will make reasonable efforts to contact the Exclusive Rights To Burial Holder prior to carrying out works of this kind (subject to paragraph 40).
Conditions regulating exclusive rights of burial
36. The exclusive right of burial (ERB) may be purchased for a grave. This right of burial can be purchased for a period of up to a maximum of 100 years from the date of purchase, subject to the area of burial. 100 years' grants are not available in all areas.
The purchaser is not buying the grave freehold and does not own any land. The person who has purchased the right of burial can determine who may be interred in the grave. Notwithstanding this, the burial authority will determine the total amount of burials and/or cremated remains that may be interred in each grave.
37. The Exclusive Rights To Burial may, at the discretion of the Burial authority, be renewed for a further period of time on expiry.
38. The Deed of Grant issued in relation to the purchase of an exclusive burial right is an important document and should be kept in a safe place. This grant must be presented to the bereavement office by the funeral director before the grave can be opened.
39. The Exclusive Rights To Burial can be transferred to another person by assignment for which a fee is payable to the Burial authority. Equally it can also be bequeathed in a will. The burial authority encourages the Exclusive Rights To Burial Holder to ensure that other family members are aware of the existence of the Deed of Grant.
40. Any change of address must be notified to the burial authority in order that up-to-date records are maintained and so that the burial authority is able to contact Exclusive Rights To Burial Holder as and when required. No responsibility can be accepted for information which does not reach a grave owner if the burial authority has not been informed about a change of address.
41. Graves for which the exclusive right of burial applies can only be opened with the written consent of the person to whom the Deed of Grant is issued, unless the interment is to be that of the deed holder, before which the exclusive Right of Burial must be updated with the new deed holder details. Until the Deed has been updated no interments will take place, excepting in the event that a Power of Attorney exists in relation to the Deed holder, in which case interments in the grave will be at the discretion of the burial authority. A transfer of the Exclusive Rights To Burial may be required before an interment.
42. An interment fee is payable each time a grave is reopened.
43. In the event that the Exclusive Rights To Burial Holder of an exclusive right of burial wishes to return this right to the burial authority details of the process will be provided on request. No refund will be made if any burials have been made in the plot. In the event that the plot is empty a refund will be payable according to the amount of unexpired whole years remaining on the exclusive right. An administrative fee and VAT will be charged. Full details will be provided on application to the burial authority.
44. The burial authority would normally expect the Deed of Grant to be purchased by the next-of- kin or other close family member. The burial authority will refuse to allow the purchase of a Deed of Grant to a third-party if, in the opinion of the Burial authority:
i) Such a purchase would present a third party with the opportunity to decide who could, and who could not, be buried within the cemetery.
ii) Such a purchase would provide an opportunity for the third party to profit from the use of the grave.
iii) Such a purchase would create a lack of clarity for future management issues, particularly the ownership of, and liability for, any memorial erected on the grave.
Conditions regulating headstones, memorials and monumental masons
Memorial specifications for designated areas
Both cemeteries hold areas of natural beauty and all memorials must be in keeping with the natural surroundings.
Woodland – Earlham Cemetery
All areas designated to the right of the crematorium as defined on the Earlham Cemetery Map.
Memorials to be of a natural stone and of a monolith type.
The maximum size is 2’6” wide by 3’ tall x 12” x 4" thick.
New Side – Earlham Cemetery
Lawn memorials 2’6” wide by 3’ tall x 12” x 4" thick.
Section 69 Family Section
Lawn memorial 4’ wide (if placed in middle of the plot) by 3’ tall x 12” x 4" thick.
Lawn memorial 2’6” wide by 3ft tall (if placed in each side of the plot) x 12" x 4" thick.
Lawn memorial – Cremation plots section 69 Lawn Memorial 2’ wide by 3’ tall x 12” x 4" thick.
Old Side - Rosary Cemetery
Memorials to be of a natural stone and of a monolith type. The maximum size is 2’6” wide by 3’ tall x 12” x 4" thick.
New side – Rosary Cemetery
Lawn memorials 2’6” wide by 3’ tall x 12” x 4" thick.
All memorials cannot exceed 12” wide as a base.
Copyright of logos, fonts and photographs
All applications in respect of copyright must have permission from the owner. A pre application is advised before commissioning any memorial.
Paragraphs 45 – 69 (inclusive) also apply to any memorial which is removed from the cemetery for any purpose and then returned and re-erected within the cemetery. The removal of any memorial for any purpose must always be approved by the burial authority.
45. Memorials are not permitted on un-purchased graves or anywhere in the cemetery excepting with the written permission of the burial authority and in relation to an interment within the cemetery.
46. No memorial shall be erected upon any grave, unless the exclusive right of burial has been purchased and an application for permission to erect a memorial has been made by the registered owner and approved by the burial authority.
47. Applications for permission to erect a memorial are available from monumental masons. The written application should be submitted to the burial authority accompanied by the appropriate fee and proof that the memorial is insured.
48. The full design and installation specification must be provided by the monumental mason to the burial authority in advance of any works commencing on site.
49. In order to protect the memorial from unforeseen circumstances, the grave owner must insure the memorial for the lifetime of the memorial or for the full term of the lease (known as the Exclusive Rights To Burial Grant ) for the plot. Insurance is the grant holders responsibility and each term is 5 years.
Proof of insurance must be provided to the burial authority prior to the installation of the memorial. For the avoidance of doubt, the burial authority will not allow the erection of uninsured memorials in the cemeteries. Insurance must cover as a minimum as an all risks policy:
- Accidental damage, including vandalism (malicious damage)
- Storm,
- Theft or attempted theft
- Impact (e.g. by a mower)
- Flood and frost
- Falling trees
- Subsidence
- Staining other than by natural weathering caused by tree sap, bird or animal droppings, or flowers
- Council action, which includes re opening of adjacent graves and collapse.
- Animal interference
50. All memorials when completed shall remain the sole risk of the owner at all times.
51. Each memorial must be kept in good repair by the owner.
52. The burial authority reserves the right to refuse to allow the placing of an inscription upon any memorial if, in the opinion of the burial authority, it is deemed to be libellous, inaccurate or likely to cause offence to any person or body of persons.
53. Any memorial that is erected without the written approval of the burial authority is unauthorised and may be removed and stored until such time as a proper application is made and approved. A fee will be charged in respect of the removal and storage in addition to the appropriate erection fee. The burial authority will take reasonable steps to ensure the safe removal and storage of any unauthorised memorial but will not be held responsible for any damage that may occur as part of this process.
54. All monumental masons carrying out work in the cemeteries shall have at least one person on site that has been registered, or is in the process of being registered with the National Association of Monumental Masons (NAMM).
55. All memorials of 625mm or over (in height) must be designed and erected in full compliance with BS8415.
56. All memorials under 625mm (in height) must have a foundation at least as large as the footprint of the memorial base. The base must be fixed to the memorial using dowels or a recognised lock- down system.
57. In order to ensure that all new memorials achieve the performance standard requirements of BS8415, monumental masons should follow the BRAMM (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons) guidelines (Blue Book) with regard to ground conditions, foundation design, joints and assembly. The burial authority may insist on corrective or remedial works if, in the opinion of the burial authority, a memorial has not been designed and/or erected in accordance with the BRAMM guidelines. Corrective or remedial works must be completed to the burial authority’s satisfaction within 28 days.
58. All new memorials will be inspected following the fixing by the monumental mason to ensure that they have been securely installed and do not present a health and safety risk. If, in the opinion of the burial authority, the memorial fails this inspection, then corrective or remedial works must be completed to the burial authority’s satisfaction within 28 days.
59. If there are any discrepancies between the memorial and the original application this will be notified in writing to the monumental mason and the grave owner. Any corrective or remedial works required must be completed to the burial authority’s satisfaction within 28 days.
60. Whenever a new memorial fails an inspection or fails to meet the criteria detailed in these rules and regulations, the burial authority will, in accordance with the circumstances of each individual memorial, take appropriate action to remove any health and safety risks. The burial authority reserves the right to charge an administrative fee to the monumental mason or the person to whose order the memorial works were carried out, to cover any costs incurred in this process, including remedial action(s), inspections (including any subsequent re-inspections) and all correspondence.
61. The burial authority requires all monumental masons working in the cemeteries to be fully conversant with the BRAMM guidelines. Any relevant revision to these guidelines may, at the burial authority’s discretion, be applied to the design and erection of all memorials subsequent to the date of the revision. The burial authority will make reasonable efforts to inform monumental masons of such changes, but notwithstanding this it is the responsibility of monumental masons to remain fully conversant with the BRAMM guidelines.
62. The burial authority may refuse memorial applications from monumental masons who have repeatedly been responsible for memorials which have failed inspections or where, in the opinion of the burial authority, there is clear evidence of repeated poor workmanship.
63. Each memorial shall have on the side close to the base the masons name and the number of the grave and an anchor symbol to indicate when a ground anchor has been fitted.
64. Flower vases must be securely fixed to the base and form an integral part of the overall memorial.
65. All rubbish and surplus materials of any kind arising from an erection, removal, repair, alteration or cleaning of any memorial must be removed from the cemetery by the monumental mason or person who has carried out the work. Should any such material be left by persons working on memorials the cost of removal and disposal may, at the burial authority’s discretion, be recharged to the monumental mason who submitted the memorial application or the person to whose order the memorial works were carried out.
66. No hewing or dressing of any memorial will be permitted in the cemetery.
67. No erection or other works to memorials will be permitted in the cemeteries at weekends or on public holidays excepting remedial works in response to health and safety issues. Any such works will be permitted at the burial authority’s discretion and with formal written approval.
68. The burial authority will carry out a continuous programme of safety inspections to establish whether memorials are at risk of falling and causing damage or injury. If any memorial is found to be unsafe the burial authority has a duty to minimise the risk and will take the action which best suits the circumstances relating to the individual memorial. Action may need to be taken immediately following an inspection.
69. The burial authority will follow relevant guidelines and best-practice and will publish full details of the inspection programme and procedure. The burial authority will use its own website, local media and cemetery signage to communicate details of the programme. The burial authority will make reasonable efforts to contact grave owners, subject to paragraph 40 of these rules and regulations.
Conditions regulating the baby lawn sections QQ.69 and Baby EEM
The burial authority will seek to accommodate the reasonable requests of the families of deceased children and will explain if, for any reason, certain requests cannot be met.
Children can be buried in either a designated baby section (babies one year and under), a designated children’s section, or in an adult grave. The options available will be further explained by bereavement services staff on request and/or by funeral directors.
70. Memorials fixed in a designated baby section must not be larger than 24” high including the base. The width of the base must not exceed 22”. The thickness of the base cannot exceed 3”. The maximum length is 12”. The maximum length overall of the plot is 34” flower containers must be incorporated and not free-standing. Any flat stone application must be flush to the ground. A specification sheet is available on request.
71. Within the designated grave space allocated by the burial authority, families may place items of remembrance. However, grave owners must be aware that the burial authority accepts no responsibility for the safety of such items and any such items are always left entirely at the grave owner’s own risk. For this reason, the burial authority advises against placing any items of significant value. The burial authority may remove any glass vases, jars or other fragile materials which have been placed on the grave if, in the opinion of the burial authority, they present a health and safety risk (particularly if damaged).
72. No fences or edging of any kind will be permitted other than the grave edging provided by the burial authority at the time the grave is prepared.
73. All plots will be laid out in a border with edging and stone chippings provided by the burial authority. White stone chippings will be provided.
74. All plots in the designated baby section will be allocated consecutively by the bereavements officer.
75. All items placed on the grave must be contained within the personal grave space.
76. Noisy items and lights are not permitted as these create a nuisance for other cemetery users.
77. Items found to be outside the personal grave space will be moved back into the personal grave space and the owner of the grave will be informed by letter. Where there are a large number of items that cannot all be moved into the personal grave space the owner of the grave will be informed by letter and requested to remove the items. If the grave owner has not done so within a reasonable time-frame (minimum 14 days from notification) then the items outside the personal grave space may be removed by the burial authority. These will be stored on site (space permitting) for up to three months and arrangements can be made to collect these items by contacting the Burial authority. The burial authority cannot accept responsibility for the safety of such items and can only store them for up to 3 months subject to suitable space being available.
78. In order to prevent memorials being hidden and to maintain the dignity of the burial area items placed on baby graves should not be over 300mm (12ins) in height. Balloons and soft toys should be removed and properly disposed of before they begin to degrade.
79. The burial authority must ensure that the cemeteries are maintained for quiet contemplation by all visitors and may, therefore, remove anything which does not comply with these regulations, which has become unsightly or which may cause distress to other cemetery users.
80. Any section of the cemeteries that is designated as a baby section by the burial authority will be exclusively for the burial of babies of one year old and under. The burial authority will make every effort to accommodate the wishes of bereaved parents of young children when grave locations are being discussed, however, any section designated as a baby section will not be used as a general burial plot for children of any age regardless of whether such burials have previously occurred in other designated baby sections.
Conditions regulating cremation plots on Rosary Cemetery
81. All memorials for cremation plaques will be no larger than 45.72cm x 45.72cm x 10.16cm (18” x 18” x 4”, and laid level within the borders. Headstones must not be any larger than 38.1cm x 45.72cm x 10.16cm (15” x 18” x 2”).
82. Flower containers must be incorporated into the tablet at all times. No other receptacle will be permitted. The burial authority may remove any other objects which are not authorised.
83. No trees, shrubs, plants or any kind of memorial will be permitted on the cremation plots and the burial authority will remove unauthorised vegetation.
84. All cremation plots will be laid out in a border with edging and white stone chippings, no other type of chipping will be allowed and the burial authority will remove unauthorised grave dressings.
85. All cremation plots will be allocated consecutively by the bereavements office.
We are not accepting bench requests for either cemetery at this time.
November 2023
