Churchyard - Burials, graves and headstones

Our Churchyard

Our churchyard 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.

Burial in the Churchyard

Every resident of the village has the right to be buried in 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]

As a consecrated space, the churchyard 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 on the church noticeboard, by downloading the document below, or by clicking here.

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.

Memorials & Gravestones

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.

Flowers

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.

Items Not Permitted on Graves

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.

Diocese-of-Gloucester-Churchyard-Regulations-Fourth-Edtion-27-07-19-2-2, PDF

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