Burial Ground
The Burial Ground is located off Halls Lane in Waltham St Lawrence and provides a peaceful resting place for residents and their loved ones. Managed by the Parish Council, the burial ground includes designated graves as well as a Memorial Garden for the scattering of ashes. This page outlines the rules and regulations for using the burial ground, along with the associated fees.
Please contact Mrs MJ Streather the Parish Clerk for further assistance on 07956 217783 or parishclerk@wslpc.uk
Burial Ground Rules and Conduct
To maintain the dignity and tranquillity of the burial ground, visitors are asked to adhere to the following rules:
- Opening Hours: The burial ground is generally open all year-round.
- Supervision of Children: Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Conduct: Visitors should behave with decorum. No noisy or disruptive behaviour is allowed, and anyone acting discourteously will be asked to leave.
- Pet Policy: Dogs are permitted but must remain on a lead. Owners must clean up after their pets.
- Prohibited Activities: Cycling, games, and inappropriate behaviour are not allowed.
- Parking: Parking is only permitted for burial ground visitors.
- Prohibited Items: No glass vases, bottles, or other breakable objects are allowed to prevent injury.
The Parish Council reserves the right to close the burial ground or remove any unauthorised items to protect and maintain the area.
Exclusive Rights of Burial and Ashes Plot
Residents may purchase an Exclusive Right of Burial for a period of 75 years, allowing the use of a designated grave or cremation plot:
- Grave Plots: Plots are assigned on a “next in line” basis, with up to six ashes caskets permitted per grave.
- Pre-Selection: Residents can pre-select and reserve a grave or cremation plot for 10 years (renewable).
- Notice of Interment: Notice of interment must be submitted with the required fee, and any transfer of burial rights must be registered with the council.
Earth Graves and Ashes Plot
The layout, dimensions, and depth of all graves and ashes plots are regulated to ensure uniformity and safe upkeep:
- Dimensions: Full earth graves are 2.29m x 0.92m, and ashes plots are 0.30m x 0.41m.
- Biodegradable Requirement: Ashes interments must be in biodegradable containers or poured directly into the plot.
- Interment Limits: A maximum of two interments per grave is allowed.
Memorials
Memorials are permitted in both the main burial ground and the Memorial Garden, subject to approval by the Parish Council:
- Specifications: Memorials must conform to BS 8415 standards and can be of natural stone. Designs, materials, and dimensions require council approval.
- Installation Timing: Memorials can only be installed at least six months after burial to allow for ground settling.
- Responsibility: The memorial’s owner is responsible for upkeep, and the council reserves the right to address any dislodged or unsafe memorials.
Floral Tributes and Maintenance
Guidelines for maintaining graves and the placement of flowers and decorations:
- Planting Restrictions: Only flowers and small shrubs (up to 0.45m in height) are allowed within the grave space. Trees, fencing, and loose stone edging are not permitted.
- Vases: Non-breakable vases are allowed on grave spaces but must not exceed 0.25m x 0.25m and 0.21m in height.
- Maintenance: Grave owners are responsible for maintaining their plots and filling in sunken ground. The Parish Council may grass over any neglected grave.
Times and Days for Interments
Interments are conducted as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 6:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Closed on Bank Holidays: Interments are not permitted on bank holidays or outside these hours without prior arrangement.
Fees
| Service Category | Service | Description | Fee (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusive Rights | Exclusive Right of Burial | Grants the right to use a grave plot (2.75m x 1.22m) for 75 years. | £300.00 |
| Cremation Plot | Right to use a cremation plot (0.30m x 0.61m) for 75 years. | 140.00 |
|
| Rose Oval – Scattering of Ashes | Scattering of ashes in the Rose Oval section (free of charge for scattering only). | Free |
|
| Bronze Plaque for Rose Oval | Optional bronze plaque in the Rose Oval memorial area for remembrance. | £120.00 | |
| Interments | Adult Burial | Interment in a single-depth grave for adults. | 200.00 |
| Child Burial (under 10 years) | Interment in a single-depth grave for children under 10 years. | 75.00 | |
| Ashes Interment | Interment of ashes in an existing or new cremation plot. | 80.00 | |
| Memorials | Right to Erect a Memorial | Permission to install a memorial on a grave in the main burial area. | 150.00 |
| Memorial in the Memorial Garden | Permission to install a memorial in the dedicated Memorial Garden for cremated remains. | 80.00 | |
| Additional Inscription | Adding an additional inscription to an existing memorial. | 30.00 | |
| Non-residents | Non-residents are subject to a fee adjustment of 2.5 times the regular rates for each service. |
- All fees must be paid in full before the interment or memorial installation.
- Interments are available during designated hours only (Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am–12:30pm), and are not permitted on bank holidays without prior arrangement.
Key Documents
| Title | Link |
|---|---|
| Burial Grounds Rules, Regulations & Charges 2024 | Download |