Lawn Cemetery Policy 2025–2028

About this item

Overview

The Lawn Cemetery Policy 2025–2028 sets out Kesgrave Town Council’s duties and regulations for the operation and maintenance of Kesgrave Lawn Cemetery, which is a closed cemetery managed under the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977. It defines the fees, rights of burial, and procedures that ensure respectful, lawful, and safe cemetery management.

The policy was approved on 2 June 2025 and replaces the previous schedule of fees and regulations adopted in 2021.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to explain how the Council, acting as the Burial Authority, administers interments, memorials, and cemetery maintenance. It ensures compliance with national regulations and provides transparency about burial rights and related fees.

Scope of the Policy

• Rules for interments and scattering of ashes.
• Exclusive Right of Burial and memorial applications.
• Fees, payments, and charges for residents and non-residents.
• Responsibilities of Funeral Directors, memorial masons, and grave owners.
• Grounds maintenance and regulation of conduct within the cemetery.

Key Principles

• The Council maintains the cemetery respectfully, ensuring it remains a place of peace and dignity.
• Fees are reviewed periodically to reflect maintenance costs while remaining fair to residents.
• Exclusive Rights of Burial are granted for 50 years, renewable thereafter.
• All burials and memorials must comply with safety and legal requirements.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead and appropriate behaviour is expected from all visitors.

Fees and Charges

The full list of interment, memorial, and administrative fees is published in the Lawn Cemetery Policy 2025–2028 (PDF) . Fees are set under Article 15 of the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 and are reviewed every three years.

Regulations

• Interments and applications must be made through recognised Funeral Directors.
• No burials may occur on weekends or public holidays except in exceptional cases.
• All headstones and inscriptions require written approval from the Burial Authority.
• Unauthorised memorials may be removed and stored until compliance is confirmed.
• Planting, fencing, and unauthorised structures are not permitted on graves.

Record-Keeping and Access

A statutory Register of Burials is maintained by the Town Clerk. Certified extracts may be obtained on request. Searches and copies are subject to a small administrative fee.

Download

Download Lawn Cemetery Policy 2025–2028 (PDF)

Contact: For enquiries about the cemetery or burial arrangements, email enquiry@kesgravetowncouncil.gov.uk .