Cremated remains can be buried in St Mary's churchyard in accordance with the Churchyard Regulations and in consultation with Fr Andrew, St Mary's Churchwardens and St Mary's Parochial Church Council.

St Mary’s churchyard has the capacity for the burial of parishioner's cremated remains, the cremated remains of people who have worshipped regularly at St Mary’s church, or if there are already family members buried in the churchyard.  You can check if you or your departed loved one resides/resided in the parish by entering the relevant postcode in this Church Near You website.

Cremated remains are buried in the churchyard following our 10am Mass on a Sunday, so the burial is carried out in the context of prayer and a Church Service.

There is a fee for the burial of cremated remains, set nationally by the Church of England, which includes a brief but meaningful Service of Committal by the graveside.

Should you wish to have a Memorial Stone (available from a funeral director or stonemason), the following Churchyard Regulations need to be borne in mind, please:

Materials for Memorial Stones:

· Natural stone or slate in sympathy with the church building: sandstone, limestone, slate or granite, but not imported red, blue or black granite, granite darker than Rustenberg Grey, marble, synthetic, conglomerate or plastic.

· The natural stone should have a non-reflective finish

· The surface to be inscribed can be ‘fine-rubbed’

Dimensions:

2” x 12” x 12”

Please note:

· Inscriptions should be simple, legible, and appropriate to a churchyard

· They may be in white, black, grey, or gold

· Plastic or other inserted material is not permitted

· Stencilling of symbols is not permitted but the hand carving of Christian symbols will be permitted by the Vicar

· Portraits, photographs or ‘photo-blast’ etching are not permitted

· Advertising and trademarks are not permitted. Masons may add their name or that of their company in 13mm height lettering on the side or the reverse of the memorial

· The planting of shrubs and herbaceous plants around the memorial is not permitted

· It is essential that the lawnmowers may be able to pass over the grass around the memorial.

There is an additional fee, set nationally by the Church of England, to introduce a Memorial Stone into the churchyard. This does not include the cost of manufacture, which will be set by the funeral director/stonemason.

The Application Form for Permission to Introduce a Memorial Stone to the Churchyard is attached, for information.