Cemetery Memorials
Arranging and applying for memorial work
Choosing a memorial mason
Right to erect a memorial period
Memorials guidelines
Arranging and applying for memorial work
Memorials may be erected on graves and plots in the Garden of Remembrance if the Exclusive Right of Burial has been purchased. The registered grantees of the Burial rights are the person's eligible to arrange any memorial work being the memorial owners. They must give their consent to any work, such as new memorials, additional inscriptions, refurbishment and replacement of memorials.
Memorial vases less than 30 cm are permitted on unpurchased graves.
The Memorial Mason appointed will submit the application for memorial work and pay the relevant fees on your behalf. Applications include details of the proposed work, size and material of new memorials, proposed inscription and a sketch with dimensions which must comply with our cemetery regulations.
Permission is then issued to the Mason to install the memorial in the cemetery.
If the registered owner of the Burial and Memorial rights is deceased, a legal transfer of the rights will have to be completed to determine the persons legally entitled to arrange the memorial work.
Choosing a Memorial Mason
Only Memorial Masons accredited with NAMM (National Association of Memorial Masons) 
or BRAMM (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons) are permitted to work in our cemeteries.
This is to ensure memorial are installed to the current code of Working Practice and comply with the British Standard.
Upon installation, they notify the Council when work is complete as they guarantee their work for 10 years in respect of safety and stability resulting out of faulty workmanship, providing peace of mind for their customers.
Right to Erect a Memorial period
After processing a memorial application and issuing a permit to a memorial mason, a Grant for the Right to erect a memorial is issued to the registered owners for a period of 10 years.
It is renewable for successive periods of 10 years but cannot exceed the period of Exclusive Right of Burial, subject to payment of the renewal fee and to the memorial being kept in a good state of repair by memorial owners.
This does not apply to commemorative tablets placed in the Garden of Remembrance as they can remain in situ for the duration of the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial and no Grant for the Right to Erect a Memorial is issued for this type of memorial.
Memorial owners are reminded to notify the Council when they move to a different address as it is important that we update your contact details.
Memorials guidelines
Garden of Remembrance
Memorial tablets not exceeding 350mm x 450mm and set flush to ground level are permitted in the Garden of Remembrance. They should be ordered in advance of the interment of cremated remains to be placed immediately after.
Lawn Burial areas
Temporary memorials
In Holly Extension, temporary markers such as plaques can only be placed on the concrete beam.
In other cemeteries, Funeral Directors can provide temporary markers such as wooden crosses to mark the position of graves. Wooden crosses are removed and disposed of after the installation of a permanent memorial, or if it falls in disrepair.
Permanent memorials
Memorials must comply with cemetery regulations of the relevant cemetery. Size permitted should therefore be checked before placing an order.
It should be noted that new kerb sets cannot be installed.
The maximum size for headstones is 900mm in height by 900mm in width by 300mm in depth and some restrictions apply on graves situated in Holly Hill Extension and in children's areas.
In most of our cemeteries, memorials are erected in alignment in the memorial border. In Holly Hill Extension, a concrete beam is provided, and memorials are erected back-to-back.
Responsibility for memorials and inspections
All memorials are the sole responsibility of the registered grantees of the Burials rights, as they are the owners of the memorial. They must ensure memorials are maintained in good order and arrange any repairs required.
The Council inspects memorials periodically and if found in an unsafe condition, we will contact the memorial owners and request that they arrange immediate repair.
We therefore stress the importance that you keep your contact details update and remember to tell us if you move, should we need to get in touch with you.
If repair requests are not complied with within two months, the Council may remove the memorial or take an appropriate action to make the memorial safe. Any costs involved in doing so, will be recharged to memorial owners.
Memorials can be removed by the Council when they are not authorised, do not comply with our regulations or fall in disrepair.
In rare occasions, the Council may be required to remove memorials to facilitate burials in nearby graves and to prevent damage. After the burial, we arrange the re-erection of the memorial with a Memorial Mason.
If you would like any further information about Cemeteries in the borough please contact the Cemetery officer on Tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail cemeteries@fareham.gov.uk.