The Lawn Cemetery Regulations

A lawn cemetery is arranged to give the appearance of a lawn with the grassed area being kept clear off all grave mounds, kerbstones or similar obstructions to make mowing easier.

Sections H (plots 44-284), L, P, R, S, & T, and Section W (for Cremated Remains) have been set aside as the Lawn Cemetery.

This explains about Lawn Cemetery Regulations which apply to

-          general maintenance and planting flowers

-          memorials

Laying of Grass and General Maintenance [Regulations 46(b)–(d)]

Approximately 6 months after a burial in the lawn cemetery (depending on weather conditions) the Council will level and sow grass seed (or lay turf) over the whole area of the grave.

A narrow, earth bed will be left at the head of the grave for headstones.

When this has been done, no one except officers or contractors of the Council may interfere with or alter the seeded or turfed area of the grave.

The Council will maintain all of the grassed areas in the lawn cemetery and will plant suitable trees or shrubs as appropriate without cost to the owners of the graves.

No trees, shrubs, plants, artifical wreaths, glass or ceramic jars, vases, etc, are allowed at all on the grassed area.

Planting Flowers [Regulations 46(d) & (e)]

Approval may be given to an owner of burial rights who wishes to plant small flowers, bulbs, miniature rose bushes etc. close to the headstone provided the written permission of the Council must be obtained first.

Any approval will be limited to an area the width of the headstone and extending not more than twelve inches in front of the headstone.

Any planting carried out by the owner of burial rights must be properly maintained by that person, otherwise the plants may be removed by the Council.

Memorials [Regulations 46(f)-(h)]

All memorials must comply with the Cemetery Regulations and must be approved by the Council before being put in place. Applications are normally made direct to the Council by the stonemason. Application forms may be obtained from the Rushden Centre Manager (see Enquires Section, below)

Headstones

All headstones must be erected vertically, in line with the headstones of adjoining graves, and in positions approved by the Council.

On Sections H (plots 44-284), L, P, R, S, and T, headstones must not be over 3 feet high, 2 feet wide or 3 inches thick. Headstone bases must not be more that 2 feet six inches wide.

On Section W, (cremated remains section) headstones incorporating any base, must not be over 1ft 6 inches in height and 1ft 6 inches in width or 3 inches thick overall.

Vases, which must be placed immediately in front of the headstone, must not be more than 10 inches in diameter and 6 inches high (including the base of the headstone).

Kerbstones [Regulation 46(h)]

Kerbstones and other forms of edging are not allowed on graves in the lawn cemetery.

Kerbstones are allowed on Section V, (Children’s Section). They must be laid in line with adjoining graves in Section V, in positions approved by the Council and must not be more that 4 feet long and 2 feet wide.

Enquiries

Enquiries about Rushden (Newton Road) Cemetery and Cemetery Regulations should be addressed to The Town Clerk, Rushden Hall, Rushden, Northants, NN10 9NJ. Telephone: 01933 316216.

All graves and memorials must be properly maintained by the owner of the burial rights.