The Burial Ground is a quiet peaceful place, tucked away behind The Walled Garden.
The Jubilee Pavilion has been erected to augment seating which provide a tranquil place to sit and reflect, and to take in the views of the North Downs.
Families and their representatives may obtain further information regarding Burials and the Interment of Ashes from Betchworth Parish Council Clerk, clerk@betchworth-pc.gov.uk.
BURIAL GROUND – GUIDELINES
Our Burial Ground is in a very beautiful place, situated 200m to the North-West of the Churchyard, with views over the surrounding countryside and towards The Surrey Hills. It is approached along a dedicated pathway running north from the Greensand Way. There are two sections – consecrated and non-consecrated, and special areas for Ashes, to cater for all.
So that this Burial Ground may remain as a quiet oasis and a place of tranquility befitting its rural location and to assist us in keeping it so, the Parish Council requires that the following regulations be observed:
Memorials or Headstones.
- Should be in natural light stone or hardwood. Care should be taken to see that stones blend in with the rural setting and are of a traditional shape/design.
- Should be in a matt or honed (satin) finish. Polished stone is not acceptable
- Should not be larger than 762 mm (2’-6”) in total height and 534 mm (1’-9”) in width. Dimensions that already exist do not set a precedent.
- Where required, they may include a base incorporating a container for flowers
- Ashes memorial plaque should not exceed 460mm (18”) x 305mm (12”) in area. It should be 51mm (2”) deep and be set level with the turf.
Examples of Acceptable Designs
Inscriptions
Should be of plain cut letters which may then be enamelled in black or filled with lead and flush with the surface or raised slightly beyond
Memorial Flowers/Plants
No planting/gardens are allowed on the plot or the surrounding area. Grave plots will be levelled and turfed as necessary within one year of a burial.
A maximum of two small free-standing pots which can be placed on the base (or on the ashes plaque).
Natural plants and flowers only for these pots (No synthetic/plastic/silk flowers)
Wreaths and floral tributes that have deteriorated or have been in situ for more than 8 weeks will be removed and disposed of.
All details of memorials (including dimensions), inscriptions, carvings, flower vases, etc. MUST BE APPROVED by the PARISH COUNCIL before orders are placed with memorial firms. Please submit full details to The Clerk, Betchworth Parish Council, in ample time, clerk@betchworth-pc.gov.uk
The following will not be acceptable:
- Non-traditional shapes such as hearts or statues
- Highly polished surfaces
- Red, black or dark grey stone, coloured marble, synthetic stone or plastic
- Dark or coloured Granite or Slate
- Gold, silver or coloured lettering
- Portraits of the deceased
- Kerbing memorials and full flat ledgers
Examples of unacceptable design
Explanatory notes
Kerbing memorials and full flat ledgers, which were previously permitted, are no longer allowed because of the difficulty in mowing. Similarly plantings are no longer permitted as these make mowing and maintenance of the Burial Ground difficult. Designs that currently exist do not set a precedent. (More detailed burial regulations and procedures are available on request and on the Betchworth Council web site and on the Betchworth Council Web site)
Many ideal materials are to be found within the British Isles, including Portland limestone (Commonwealth war memorials are made from this material) and York stone. However Nabresina limestone which is pale cream in colour and mined in Italy is acceptable. Traditional gravestones tend to be made from such materials and because of their unpolished surface will gradually weather and harmonise with their rural surroundings.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL COPY OF THE DETAILED BURIALGROUND REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES.