Churchyards are beautiful, ancient and tranquil places which bear witness to a community’s history, and they may also be important habitats for wildlife.

Permission to erect a burial in a churchyard

The parish can provide permission for a burial or commemorative plaque provided that it conforms to the specified measurements, design and other criteria set down in the Churchyard Regulations, which are issued by the Chancellor or guidance available:

Churchyard regulations | PDF (INSERT LINK WHEN AVAILABLE)

Commemorative Plaque regulations | PDF (INSERT LINK WHEN AVAILABLE)

If you wish to commemorate a deceased person in any other form, either in a churchyard or within a church, please email Julie Alcock for advice.

Reserving a plot

If you wish to reserve a grave or ashes plot please download these forms:

Reservation form for Grave Plot | PDF (INSERT LINK WHEN AVAILABLE)

Reservation form for Cremated Remains | PDF (INSERT LINK WHEN AVAILABLE)

Please note: a processing fee applies.

Creating a Garden of Remembrance for interring ashes

If you would like to create these in your churchyard, you can find guidance below:

Creating a garden of remembrance | PDF (INSERT LINK WHEN AVAILABLE)

Closed Churchyards

Some churchyards in the Diocese have been closed for burials and the local council is responsible for care and maintenance.

• Closed churchyards are still subject to the faculty jurisdiction.
• Though the Council may look after the maintenance, it remains church property and you still have the final say over what does and doesn’t happen in the churchyard.

Redundant churches

There are a number of redundant churches in the Diocese. Although they are no longer used for regular worship, the churchyard may still be open and used for burials. When the church closed, a legal document called a Pastoral Measure would have been produced to explain who was now going to be responsible for its oversight and maintenance. 

Further information

Please email Julie Alcock for advice.