Our graveyard

Our graveyard is a cherished and sacred place — a space of peace, prayer, and reflection. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, it is lovingly maintained to honour those who rest here and to ensure it remains a safe and beautiful environment for everyone.

As a consecrated space, the graveyard is governed by regulations set by the Consistory Court. These rules apply to all, including clergy, families, and funeral providers, and cover burials, the interment of ashes, and memorials.

You can view the full graveyard regulations by downloading the document below, or by clicking here.

Burial in the graveyard

Amberley Church Council (ACC) affirms the provisions of the Diocese of Gloucester Churchyard Regulations regarding the right of burial, recognising that, where the churchyard remains open, the following persons have a legal right to burial (whether of a coffin or of cremated remains):

• those who die within the parish;
• those who are resident within the parish;
• those whose names are entered on the church electoral roll of the parish at the time of death.

The ACC also recognises that, in accordance with those Regulations and wider Church of England practice, the licensed clergy retain pastoral discretion to permit the burial of others who do not have a legal right of burial.

Such decisions rest with the licensed clergy and will be made on a case-by-case basis, seeking to balance pastoral considerations with the availability of space and the long-term care of the churchyard.

If you wish for your loved one to be laid to rest here, please ask your funeral director to contact the Benefice Office:

📞 01453 889004
📧 [email protected]

Interment of Ashes

Cremated remains may only be interred with the parish priest's permission.
Scattering of ashes anywhere in the churchyard is not permitted.

To arrange the burial of ashes, please contact the Benefice Office.

To preserve the churchyard's special character, there are specific guidelines covering memorial stones — including materials, dimensions, and inscriptions.

No gravestone or memorial (including those marking cremated remains) may be installed without prior permission from the parish priest.

For enquiries or to apply for a memorial, please get in touch with the Benefice Office.

We welcome you to honour loved ones by placing flowers on graves. Please remove any plastic wrapping and take away faded or dead flowers.
You are also welcome to plant small bulbs or seasonal flowers directly into the grave.

To keep the churchyard a tranquil and respectful space, we kindly ask you to avoid placing the following:

* Grave surrounds (e.g. edging or fencing)

* Stone chippings or other ground coverings

* Ornaments (except a single toy or tribute on a child’s grave — to be removed after six months)

* Trees or shrubs

* Free-standing vases (only those built into approved headstones are allowed)

* Artificial flowers (except for Remembrance poppies or traditional Christmas wreaths, which should be removed after two months)

* Lights or lanterns

Items that don’t meet these guidelines may be carefully removed and stored for collection. Unclaimed items will be respectfully disposed of after one year.