GEORGEHAM CEMETERY.



1.	The Cemetery comprises a Consecrated and an Unconsecrated portion.  The Consecrated portion is reserved for Christian burials, at which only Christian Ministers may officiate.  Any duly authorised or recognised Minister of Religion may officiate at a burial in the Unconsecrated portion of the Cemetery.

2.	The Cemetery is open to the Public daily. 

3.	Burials must take place on weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Special arrangements must be made for a burial outside these times and an additional charge of fifty per cent is made.

4.	For the purpose of these rules, a Walled Grave is a grave entirely subterranean, the sides and ends of which are constructed of brickwork or masonry.

5.	The Funeral Director to provide at least 48 hours notice of an interment to the Clerk.    Such notice must be on the form supplied with these regulations, copies of which may be obtained free of charge from the Clerk.

6.	The Funeral Director must satisfy himself that the grave is suitable to accept the coffin or casket.  Neither Georgeham Parish Council nor its employees accept responsibility for the dimensions of the grave.

7.	All fees to be paid in full to the Clerk prior to the funeral, who will issue an official receipt.

8.	Ordinarily the depth of a grave shall not exceed 8 feet: but with special permission of the Parish Council this may be increased to 15 feet.  The top of every coffin buried in a grave must be at least 4 feet below the ordinary level of the surrounding ground.

9.	The Purchaser or person paying the fees and charges will be allocated the next Grave space in numerical order which is vacant by the Clerk; except where a purchase is of two adjacent graves - in which case, the choice of the next two numerically or the next pair side by side will be permitted.

10.	Only one corpse may be buried in one grave at one time: except that in the case of two members of the same family whose burials are to take place on the same day and at the same time.

11.	In the case of a grave in which burial has already taken place, no fresh burial may be effected unless the coffin containing the body is effectually separated from any other coffin already placed and remaining the grave by means of a layer of earth not less than one foot thick.  Human remains in the grave may on no account be disturbed, nor may any soil which is offensive be taken out of the grave.

12.	All monuments and vases, together with inscriptions thereon, are subject to the approval of Georgeham Parish Council and when erected must be kept in repair by, and at the expense of, the respective owners.  The placing of kerbs, border stones, chippings or gravel is strictly prohibited.  If erected without such approval, or if not repaired after reasonable notice, it may be removed by the Parish Council.

13.	All questions as to the fitness of any monumental inscriptions in the Consecrated portion is determined by the Parish Council.

14.	The Parish Council accepts no responsibility for any damage which may occur to monuments or vases.  Those responsible for the upkeep of graves should ensure that adequate insurance cover is taken out.

15.	The Exclusive Right of Burial in a grave may be purchased at any time whether an immediate interment is intended or not.

16.	A deed granting the right of interment in perpetuity (30 years) in a grave space will be issued by the Parish Council and a register of all such grants maintained by the Clerk.

17.	In the case of an intended interment (reserved space) in a grave space, where the right of interment has been purchased, the consent of the Grantee must be given under his or her signature.

18.	A specific area has been set aside for the burial of Cremated Ashes, and Plot Numbers are available from the Parish Clerk, and can be viewed on the Parish Council's Website (www.georgehamparishcouncil.co.uk).  Plot B is in use for this purpose at present. There is a Memorial Wall upon which engraved plaques, uniform in size, shape and design are available to purchase from the Columbaria Company, via the Parish clerk. The Parish Council is responsible for fixing and this will be done free of charge.

19.	A register of Interments and all other necessary records will be maintained by the Clerk according to The Local Authorities Cemetery's Order 1977 Articles 11 and 12 and Schedule 2.

20.	Any person wilfully destroying or injuring any fence, tree or plant in the Cemetery, or injuring or defacing any monument or any inscription thereon will be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under The Local Authorities Cemetery's Order 1977 Articles 18 and 19 and Part 1 or Schedule 2.

21.	Dogs are not allowed in the Cemetery.

22.	No smoking is allowed in the Cemetery.

23.	The Parish Council reserve the right to make further regulations or alter the regulations, as they think necessary.