Burials and cremations
Information for grave owners
When you purchase a grave space you become the owner of the exclusive rights of burial for the grave on a leasehold basis. This means you are granted the right to say who can be buried in the grave and your permission must be obtained to allow memorials to be installed on the grave. You are not the owner of the land.
Cemetery rules and regulations
So that our cemeteries and crematorium are safe, dignified and respectful places we have cemetery and crematorium rules. If you are a grave owner please read the rules. They include information about your responsibilities as well as describing what size of memorial is allowed.
Please note, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please maintain social distancing when visiting the cemetery grounds.
Memorials
Only registered memorial masons are allowed to carry out work in our cemeteries. Registered memorial masons are required to ensure that all memorial work they undertake complies with our memorial masons’ registration scheme and cemetery rules. Our registration scheme helps ensure safe working practices are followed and one requirement is that the mason is registered with either of two national associations – NAMM (the National Association of Memorial Masons) or BRAMM (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons).
Please contact the cemeteries and crematorium team if you have a query about any of the memorial masons listed below.
Abbey Memorials Ltd
- Address: Rawreth Industrial Estate, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 9RL
- Phone number: 01268782757
- Email address: info@abbeymemorialsltd.co.uk
Birkenhead Monumental Company
- Address: 27 Brookway, North Cheshire Trading Estate, Prenton, CH43 3DS
- Phone number: 01516 082578
- Email address: birkenheadmon@aol.com
Blackwell’s Stonecraft
- Address: Overleigh Road, Handbridge, Chester, CH4 7HN
- Phone number: 01244 680 704
- Fax number: 01244 671 772
- Email address: steve_blackwells@hotmail.com
Buckley Memorials Limited
- Address: Globe Business Park, Off Standard Road, Buckley, CH7 3LY
- Phone number: 01244 548 379
- Email address: contact@buckleymemorials.com
Chester Headstones
- Address: 71 Kingsway, Chester, CH2 2LJ
- Phone number: 01244 245145
- Email address: info@chesterheadstones.com
Mossfords Memorials Limited
- Address: 30a Ruabon Road, Wrexham, LL13 7PH
- Phone number: 01978 262 519
- Email address: mossfordswrexham@gmail.com
Oxley's
- Address: Cumberland House, 205 Market Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2NA
- Phone number: 01270 214 009
- Email address: christine@oxleysfuneralservices.co.uk
SJB Memorials
- Address: 61 Melbourne Road, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5JB
- Phone number: 07816 588506
- Email address: sjbmemorials@outlook.com
Whitby's Memorials Limited
- Address: Unit A, Calamine Street, Macclesfield, SK11 7HU
- Phone number: 01645 615500
- Email address: ruth.clark@wgpltd.co.uk
Say it in Stone
- Address: Rear of Chester Fireplaces, Saltney, Chester CH4 8SE
- Phone number: 01244 980099
- Email address: enquiries@sayitinstonechester.co.uk
Memorial Care
- Address: 1 Beaconsfield Road, New Ferry CH62 1AD
- Phone number: 0151 645 2655
- Fax number: 0151 645 2655
- Email address: mariekelly@memorial-care.co.uk
W.T Drage & Sons Quality Headstone
- Address: 4 Wold Farm Park, Broughton Road, Old Northants NN6 9RH
- Phone number: 01604 780044
- Email address: helenargr@aol.com
Memories Memorials Ltd
- Address: 42 Rochdale Road, Shaw, Oldham OL2 7SA
- Phone number: 01706 840642
- Email address: christial@memoriesmemorials.co.uk
Heritage Stone UK Ltd
- Address: 7 Ketlan Court, River Lane, Saltney, Chester CH4 8SB
- Phone number: 01244 680123
- Email address: admin@heritagestoneuk.co
Giovanni Farrugia
- Address: 7 Selby Avenue, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 8UT
- Phone number: 07881 427719
- Email address: Farrugia8@hotmail.com
Memorial safety
Owners of the exclusive burial rights for graves (usually referred to as ‘grave owners’) are responsible for the safety of any memorials on the grave. In addition, as a burial authority, we have general powers that allow action to be taken to address danger arising from the condition of a memorial. Any action taken by us will be proportionate and sensitive, taking into account visitor safety and the needs of the bereaved.
Memorial safety inspections
We responsible for the management of five cemeteries and is responsible for keeping 12 closed churchyards in decent order. Part of this responsibility is to protect cemetery visitors and staff working in cemeteries (including contractors). We have a rolling programme of memorial inspection to help make sure no memorial poses a risk of falling and injuring somebody in a cemetery.
Where are inspections taking place?
Memorial safety inspections are currently taking place in Overleigh, Blacon, Overpool and Neston cemeteries during the months of February and March. Repairs are currently being undertaken in Overleigh, Overpool, Blacon and Neston cemeteries.
Further inspections are due to take place in Overpool, Neston, Blacon and Wharton cemeteries between March and May.
We will put up notices at each cemetery around a month before the checks are due to start.
How will a memorial be inspected?
A specially trained member of staff will start by doing a visual inspection of the memorial. Where appropriate this will be followed with a hand test. This involves the member of staff using their hand to apply pressure to the memorial to check for movement. In most cases, there will be no movement and a record will be kept that the memorial has passed the test. If the memorial moves it will fail the test.
What happens if a memorial fails the inspection?
Where a memorial fails the inspection, the owner will be informed so that they can arrange repairs. Sometimes owners do not update their contact details so we will also place a notice near the memorial / attach a yellow safety-warning label to the memorial asking the owner to contact the us.
If a memorial is assessed to be an immediate danger, action will be taken straight away. This action may include arranging for the memorial to be repaired by our contracted stonemason and / or cordoning off a grave or area. In it's role as a burial authority we have general powers of management including taking action necessary to remove a danger arising from the condition of a vault, tombstone or memorial. We will avoid laying memorials down flat wherever possible.
If repair work is not arranged by the owner, we will arrange to make the memorial safe instead. The costs will then be recovered from the owner.
What should I do if my memorial fails the test?
As the owner of a memorial, you have a duty to ensure it is safe. If your memorial is found to be unsafe you should arrange for it to be repaired and made safe by a registered memorial mason from the list above. Alternatively, you can contact Clare Barlow on 01244 977376 and arrange for the memorial to be repaired by the our contractor (there is a charge for this service). Please do not try to move or make repairs to the memorial yourself.
Will more inspections take place in the future?
Yes, we will continue to carry out regular checks.
How you can help
If you own a memorial, please make sure we have your up-to-date contact details by emailing crematorium@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk