Sunderland City Council

Sunderland City Council
Civic Centre
Burdon Road
Sunderland
SR2 7DN

Tel. (0191) 520 5555

Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes

Grave Enclosures

Each application is considered on its own merit and the following information is for guidance only.

Kerbs are generally permitted on all full sized graves providing following conditions are complied with:-

(i) The kerb must be of natural stone a minimum of 3” in thickness. Maximum height is 6”. Railings or other adornments are not permitted.

(ii) Plans must be submitted and approved by the Cemeteries Office, and a Permit must be issued before work commences

(iii) Manufacture and installation must be carried out by an approved memorial mason. Fixing must be in accordance with the current NAMM Code of Practice.

(iv) The design of the kerb must not impede access for visitors particularly those who may have limited mobility, and must allow safe access for bearers to convey a coffin to any of the other graves in the area. In consideration of these points we require that the overall length of the kerb is limited to 5 feet on a standard 9 foot long grave (max length of 4 feet is on 8 foot long grave) measured from the back of the memorial.

(v) A fee for the Right to Enclose a Grave is payable before installation can commence. The term of this Right is 20 years after which the grave owner has the option of renewal of the Right subject to a professional inspection of the kerb.

(vi) The owner retains responsibility for the kerb and is liable for maintaining it in a safe/stable condition. If the grave has room for second or third interments the owner must arrange for removal and re-instatement of the kerb to allow the interment to take place.

(vii) The area inside the kerb must be maintained by the owner.

a) The area can be left as turf.

b) The grave can be planted with small flowering plants. These should be limited to small flowering plants and bulbs. Roses and other shrubs must be avoided. As a general guide the plants should not exceed 2 feet in height and should not overhang the area enclosed by the kerb

c) To reduce maintenance the enclosed area can be covered in bark mulch.

d) The enclosed area can be covered with 'crazed paving' or flagged with terrazzo tiles. Excavation for the foundation to be carried out by Sunderland City Council.

(viii) The use of loose stone chippings is not permitted as this would present a serious hazard to both Cemetery Maintenance Staff and visitors during 'strimming' operations. If chippings are required they must be partially embedded in concrete – (similar to pebbledash)

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last updated 19/12/06

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Grave Enclosures