page19

St. Paul's Church welcomes you at what can be a difficult and distressing time. We hope that the quiet rural setting of the churchyard can be a comfort to you.

As you consider how best to remember and honour your loved one, this information is intended to answer some of the questions you may have about funerals, services and stone memorials.

Please contact the vicar, The Revd. Mike Sermon tel: 0121 559 1000 for any assistance or further information.

WHO CAN BE BURIED IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD ?

Permission for a burial in the churchyard should be sought from the vicar. Anyone who is living in the parish (see map for details of parish boundaries), whatever their religious beliefs, or who is on the Electoral Roll of St. Paul's, may be buried in the churchyard or have their ashes buried after cremation.

HOW DO WE ARRANGE THE BURIAL OF ASHES AT ST. PAUL'S ?

When arranging the cremation, tell the Funeral Director that you wish the ashes to be laid to rest in St. Paul's Churchyard. They will then ensure thet they are placed in a suitable wooden container for burial.
If you wish, they can look after them for you until a time for laying the ashes has been arranged.

There is a small statuary fee for this service and the unlecensed scattering of ashes in the churchuard is not permitted.

WHEN CAN ONE ERECT A MONUMENT ?

A monument can be erected 6 months after a funeral. The stonemason that you choose will contact the vicar to ask for permission for the monument to be erected.

There are regulations concerning what kninds of monument is permitted in Church of England churchyards and the main ones are summarised below.

These regulations are designed to maintain the character and appearance of the churchyard and to allow easy maintenance of it, particularly so that graves will continue to look their best in yaers to come.

As the maintenance of the monument after it is erected is the responsibility of the relatives or personal representatives, the regulations try to ensure that monuments will last for a long time. will not be expensive to maintain and will not be easily susceptible to vandalism.

We should point out that there is not a right to burial in any particular part of the churchyard and neither a burial nor a monument give any right of ownership to that part of the churchyard.

Please be aware that there is a fee for the erection of monuments in the churchyard.

WHAT CAN THE MONUMENT BE MADE OF ?

The headstone, cross or slab can be made of unpolished natural stone that is sympathetic to the fabric of the church or can be made of English Oak.
The regulations do not allow us to erect marble or granite monuments (other than unpolished grey granite) or monuments made of more than one type of stone.

WHAT SIZE AND SHAPE CAN THE MONUMENT BE ?

Monuments allowed after a burial can be an upright headstone, cross or book or a flat stone that lies flush with the ground.
They should be no larger than:-
4' x 2' x 4'' and no smaller than 2' x 1'8'' x 3''

Monuments permitted after a burial of ashes are flat stones that are flush with the ground and
they should be no larger than:
1' x 1'6''

WHAT CAN BE WRITTEN ON THE MONUMENT ?

Inscriptions should be in words and figures only and cut into the stone; it must include the full name of the person or persons buried with dates or years of birth and death. For headstones of graves the vicat may permit additional words if they are brief and appropriate.

WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED ?

Gilding or silvering of the inscription
Monuments in the shape of hearts or urns
Statues or monuments with pictures or photographs on them
Kerbs, railings and chippings on graves
Grave mounds
Any kind of lighting

Vases can be incorporated into a atone monument. The stonemason can advise about the precise regulations.

Cut flaowers may be put on a grave. It would be most helpful if they can be cleared away when they die, although we do understand, of course, if sometimes you may be unable to return.

You may well see monuments in the churchyard that do not comply with all of the above, but we are now governed by current regulations and do have to follow them. We trust you do understand.

WHAT FLOWERS AND PLANTS CAN BE PUT ON GRAVES ?

There is usually no objection to the planting of bulbs or small plants; but please contact the vicar before planting for permission to do so and he will advise you.
Artificial flowers should NOT be put on graves. (Except for Remembrance Day poppies, which should be removed after an appropriate time, agreed with the vicar)

WHAT RECORDS ARE KEPT ?

The church keeps a careful record of all people buried in the churchyard.

FURTHER QUESTIONS

If you have any questions at all about any of this information, or concerns about any other matters. please do contact the vicar:-