Memorial rules and regulations

1. Introduction

Memorials serve as a lasting tribute to loved ones and help maintain the dignity and character of Earlham and Rosary Cemeteries. Norwich City Council has established guidelines to ensure memorials are safe, respectful, and in harmony with the natural and historical surroundings.

These regulations aim to:

Protect the safety of visitors and staff.
Preserve the appearance and heritage of the cemeteries.
Ensure compliance with national standards and local legislation.

Before commissioning a memorial:

Review specifications for size, material, and design.
Note that certain areas (e.g., woodland and historical sections) require natural stone monolith memorials.
All memorials must be installed by qualified monumental masons registered with NAMM or BRAMM and comply with BS8415 standards.
Insurance is mandatory for all memorials to cover accidental damage, vandalism, and environmental risks. Proof of insurance must be provided before installation.

Bereavement Services can advise and accept pre-applications for unique designs.

2. Memorial specifications by cemetery area

Both cemeteries hold areas of natural beauty and all memorials must be in keeping with the natural surroundings.

2.1 Earlham Cemetery

Woodland Area: Natural stone monolith type; max size: 2’6” wide × 3’ tall × 12” × 4” thick.
New Side: Lawn memorials; same size as above.
Section 69 Family Section:
- Middle of plot: 4’ wide (if placed in the middle of the plot) × 3’ tall × 12” × 4” thick.
- Each side: 2’6” wide × 3’ tall (if placed in each side of the plot)× 12” × 4” thick.
- Cremation plots: 2’ wide × 3’ tall × 12” × 4” thick.

2.2 Rosary Cemetery

Old Side: Natural stone monolith type; max size: 2’6” wide × 3’ tall × 12” × 4” thick.
New Side: Lawn memorials; same size as above.

All memorials cannot exceed 12” wide as a base.

3. Copyright

Permission is required for any logos, fonts, or photographs used on memorials. A pre-application is advised before commissioning.

4. General conditions for memorials

4.1 Permissions and Applications

Memorials are not permitted on unpurchased graves or anywhere in the cemetery without written permission.
Exclusive right of burial must be purchased before erecting a memorial.
Applications for permission to erect a memorial are available from monumental masons and must include:
- design and installation specifications
- appropriate fee
- proof of insurance.

4.2 Insurance requirements

In order to protect the memorial from unforeseen circumstances, the grave owner must insure the memorial for the lifetime of the memorial or for the full term of the lease (known as the Exclusive Rights To Burial Grant ) for the plot.

Insurance must cover the full term of the lease (5 years per term).
Minimum coverage: accidental damage, vandalism, storm, theft, impact, flood, frost, falling trees, subsidence, staining, council action (which includes the opening of adjacent graves and collapse) and animal interference.

You must provide proof of insurance to the burial authority before any memorial is installed. Memorials without valid insurance will not be permitted in the cemeteries.

4.3 Maintenance and safety

All memorials when completed shall remain the sole risk of the owner at all times.

Owners must keep memorials in good repair.
Burial authority reserves the right to refuse inscriptions deemed offensive or inaccurate.
Unauthorised memorials may be removed and stored at the owner’s expense.

5. Standards for installation

At least one mason on site must be registered with NAMM or in the process of registering.
Memorials 625mm or taller must comply with BS8415.
Smaller memorials under 625mm require proper foundations (at least as large as the footprint of the memorial base)and secure fixing (dowels or a recognised lock- down system).
BRAMM guidelines must be followed for design and installation.
Monumental masons must follow BRAMM guidelines and stay updated on any revisions. The burial authority may apply new revisions to memorial design and installation from the date they take effect. While the authority will try to inform masons of changes, it is their responsibility to remain up to date.
The burial authority can refuse applications from masons with repeated failed inspections or clear evidence of poor workmanship.
All new memorials will be inspected post-installation.

If a memorial has not been designed and/or erected in accordance with the BRAMM guidelines, or if it differs from the approved application we’ll notify the mason and grave owner in writing. The burial authority will take action to remove any safety risks and reserves the right to charge an administration fee to the mason or the person who ordered the work to cover costs incurred in this process, including remedial work, inspections, re-inspections and related correspondence.

Any required corrections or remedial work must be completed within 28 days to the burial authority’s satisfaction.

6. Additional regulations

Mason’s name, grave number, and anchor symbol (to indicate when a ground anchor has been fitted) must be on the side of the memorial close to the base.
Flower vases must be securely fixed to the base and be an integral part of the memorial.
No rubbish or surplus materials may be left on site. (Any waste and surplus materials from memorial worksuch as erection, removal, repair, or cleaning must be cleared from the cemetery by the person who carried out the work. If materials are left behind, the burial authority may charge the removal cost to the mason or the person who ordered the work.)
No hewing or dressing of memorials in the cemetery.
No works allowed on weekends or public holidays (except urgent safety repairs which will be permitted at the burial authority’s discretion and with formal written approval).
Continuous safety inspections will be carried out; unsafe memorials may be removed immediately.

The burial authority will follow all relevant guidelines and best practices and share full details of the inspection programme on its website. Information will also be communicated through local media and cemetery signage and they will make every reasonable effort to contact grave owners directly.

7. Baby lawn sections (QQ.69 and Baby EEM)

The burial authority will seek to accommodate the reasonable requests of the families of deceased children and will explain if, for any reason, certain requests cannot be met.

Children can be buried in either a designated baby section (babies one year and under), a designated children’s section, or in an adult grave. The options available will be further explained by bereavement services staff on request and/or by funeral directors.

Max memorial size: 24” high (including base), 22” wide, 3” thick.
Flower containers must be incorporated in the overall length of the plot (34") and not freestanding.
No fences or edging other than that provided by the burial authority.
Items must remain within the grave space and should not be over 300mm (12") in height; noisy items and lights are prohibited.
Balloons and soft toys should be disposed of before degrading.
All plots will be laid out in a border with edging and white stone chippings provided by the burial authority.

The burial authority may remove anything that breaches regulations, looks unsightly, or could cause distress to visitors.

Items placed outside the personal grave space will be moved back within it and the grave owner will be notified by letter. If there are too many items to fit, the owner will be asked to remove the extras. If this is not done within a reasonable time (at least 14 days from notification), the burial authority may remove the items. These will be stored on site, if space allows, for up to three months. Owners can arrange collection by contacting the burial authority. Please note, we cannot guarantee the safety of stored items and can only keep them for up to three months, subject to available space.

8. Cremation plots (Rosary Cemetery)

Memorial plaques: max size 18” × 18” × 4” and must be laid level within the borders.
Headstones: max size 15” × 18” × 2”.
Flower containers must be incorporated into the tablet at all times.
No trees, shrubs, plants or unauthorised memorials.
No fences or edging other than that provided by the burial authority.
All plots will be laid out in a border with edging and white stone chippings provided by the burial authority.