Memorials regulations
Permanent memorials
Hard stone, marble and granite are the only materials allowed for memorials, and working with them is a skilled job. You’ll need to order your memorial from a monumental mason, as there are regulations governing their construction; there are also limits on the size of memorials allowed in the cemetery. The mason will be able to explain these to you.
After a burial the ground has to resettle and you should let at least two (and preferably three) months elapse to consider what type of memorial you’d prefer. If you need to have the memorial in place for a specific date, be sure to make the arrangements in good time.
Before consulting a monumental mason please bear in mind that full-length kerbs or border stones, and recumbent books, scrolls and tablets are no longer permitted in Manchester cemeteries. All monumental masons in the Manchester area are familiar with the regulations and will be able to show you the types of memorial they can supply. Kerbs are permitted to a maximum length of 90cm.
Responsibility for the maintenance and safety of memorials, including that arising from acts of vandalism, remains with the grave owner, and it is advisable to take out insurance. Your local stonemason can advise on this.
Greenery and flora
If you’d like to have a separate vase for cut flowers, it must be put at the head of the grave so that we can carry out maintenance, such as mowing the grass. Vases must be no bigger than 30cm high, and we’d suggest that you inscribe or mark the vase with your surname or the grave number to avoid mix-ups. Flower-holders by themselves are not a suitable way of marking a grave because they’re so easily moved or dislodged.
Please do not use glass containers because these are easily broken and can cause serious injury in a cemetery, as people often kneel on the ground.
Please be aware that old wreaths and floral tributes along with unauthorised memorials may be periodically removed.
Only the space at the head of the grave may be used for planting. If you’d like to put in your own bulbs or plants and you find that the turf covers the whole grave space, please ask at the cemetery office and the staff will arrange for part of the turf to be removed. There is no charge for this. Trees are not permitted because the roots damage both your own and neighbouring graves.
Artificial grass is not permitted. This prevents the natural growth of grass and interferes with maintenance of the cemetery grounds. Trees, artificial grass and other such artefacts may be removed by Bereavement Services if they present a risk to others, interfere with other graves, or prevent maintenance of the cemetery.