Information for owners of grave rights

Taunton Deane Borough Council wishes to maintain the high standards of all the graves in our care, and need the help of every owner of grave rights to achieve this.Whilst the combined operation of the cemeteries and crematorium annually produce a modest surplus, the cemeteries run at a loss. The majority of the money is spent on mowing grass, and as funding is getting tighter, and to avoid increasing fees, we must continue to hold down costs. This necessitates some restrictions on the service we provide which are detailed below:-

For all advice or help please contact the Crematorium office.

Taunton Deane Cemeteries & Crematorium
Wellington New Road,
Taunton,
Somerset
TA1 5NE

Tel: 01823 284811
Fax: 01823 323152
Email: crematorium@tauntondeane.gov.uk

Plastics

Some plastic flowers lie about our cemeteries. Not only do they look unkept and neglected, they also pose serious problems if they get caught inside the cutters of mowing machines. Please avoid plastics at all times. Where plastic items are placed on graves, we may restrict maintenance in order to protect grave maintenance staff.

Plastic windmills

Plastic windmills are now appearing on graves. These often make noises which disturb funeral services. They also break into dangerous fragments if touched by a nylon cutter. After strong winds they are blown over lawns. These items are not intended for outdoor use and I would ask you not to place them on graves. Where they are placed, we may restrict mowing near them.

Restricted mowing

Our lawn graves are designed to be neatly mown and most people choose them for this reason. We find it difficult and sometimes necessary to restrict mowing on lawn graves where glass, plastic items, windmills, pot plants, bedding plants and shrubs etc, have been placed over the grass area. Where items are placed on the grass, our staff may mow around them because of the risk of damaging them or being exposed to plastic or glass fragments .

Restricted grave access

Please note that in the future, perhaps a week or even years away, we will need to excavate the grave at the side or foot of the grave you have purchased. We may have to place boards over the grave and perhaps a spoil box and this may prevent you visiting the grave for a short period. Please be prepared for this, and rest assured that we only do this if we cannot place the soil or boards elsewhere. After the funeral, we clean the grave and leave the area neat and tidy. Indeed, when a burial next occurs in the grave you own, we will be covering the adjacent graves and causing a similar problem for other grave owners.

Winter conditions

Every year, glass vases on graves freeze and split and the shards become a safety hazard. Please do not use glass on graves. Also note that if vase holes in stone do not drain properly and hold water, they will freeze and this can split any type of stone. Finally, in winter, we do not treat frozen surfaces on graves. Only roads and paths to imminent funerals are salted and/or gritted, and the majority of paths, roads and parking places can be covered with ice and/or snow. As anniversaries occur every day of the year, and the bereaved feel an over-whelming need to visit the grave, we never close our sites even though ice and snow exist. Please exercise extreme care throughout winter and avoid visits when ground conditions may result in a fall or some form of injury.

Dogs

We consistently receive complaints about dog faeces on graves. Some people also get very heated about dogs generally and demand that they be banned from cemeteries. Similar numbers of dog lovers oppose a ban and state that they will take their dog to the grave side whatever, as the dog was owned by the deceased person. Being sympathetic to all views, we have taken a middle line. When attending a grave, dogs on a leash are allowed but faeces must be removed and placed in bins. We are also approaching dog walkers to give them leaflets about this policy.

Cemeteries are also included in The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. Under this Act we can prosecute owners who fail to clean up after their dogs. In addition, the Council are to employ dog wardens to help us enforce the Act .

Grave rights

All grave rights are sold for 75 year periods, after which they can be extended for a fee. Please keep the grave deed safe as it is evidence of your ownership of the right. You have purchased a right of burial, which ensures that any further burial must be of the grave owner, or a burial authorised by t he owner. It is important to note that you have bought a 'right', and not the land, which still remains in the ownership of Taunton Deane Borough Council .

Memorial safety

As the owner of the grave right, you are responsible for the safety of the memorial on the grave. If it becomes loose, leans, or otherwise appears unsafe, please contact a memorial stone mason. The cemeteries staff carry out regular safety checks and will contact the grave owner when a problem is detected.

Theft

Expensive fresh f lowers and silk flower arrangements are occasionally stolen or removed and placed on other graves. We constantly monitor the situation and routinely talk to police about any problems. Please let us know if you experience theft.

Vandalism

Vandalism is rare in Taunton, but when it occurs, it is very distressing. All vandalism has been caused by youths, most of them with psychological problems. The Council are not responsible for vandalism damage. If you fear vandalism to your memorial, your mason can offer you insurance, for instance, 'Stoneguard' .

Stone chippings

Please do not place stone chippings around graves. They have proved to be dangerous in the past, when the grounds staff have been using mowing equipment. Small stone scan get caught and fly from the blades or strimmer line, thereby endangering personal safety.

Holly wreaths

At Christmas many holly wreaths are left on graves. Our staff will remove them 3 or 4 weeks after Christmas. If you wish to remove them yourself, please do so before 6th January.