Churchyards exist for the benefit of all. They are beautiful and sacred spaces that are clearly important to the local community and to those who have loved ones buried here.

If you would like your loved one or their ashes to be buried in the churchyard, we need to make you aware that there are regulations in place, set by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Winchester (these are not locally made regulations), that are in place to ensure that the churchyard remains a fitting place for people to visit and pay their respects. You can find the regulations below or under the Memorial Applications heading.

The following provides information that you might find helpful as you make decisions about how to mark your loved ones final resting place.

MEMORIALS

Any memorial of any kind needs permission before it can be placed in the churchyard. There are regulations around the size and shape of memorials, as well as the material and colour of stone, and any images or wording that is engraved.

There are memorial and features that the Rector is unable to authorise and the Chancellor is unlikely to permit, because they are not in keeping with the nature of the churchyard. These include kerbed surrounds, railings, chains etc. Your Funeral Director or Stonemason should be able to advise you further.

OBJECTS AND ORNAMENTS

Objects such as ornaments, model people and toys are not permitted; neither are moving items such as windmills and chimes, unless under exceptional circumstances and on application to the Chancellor.

Any of these items will be removed after a year and held in safe keeping for another two months. We will attempt to contact you to let you know where they can be collected from.

FLOWERS

Flowers and plants are one of the special ways that we remember our loved ones in the place where they are buried. Real flowers are encouraged, and silk flowers are permitted. However, plastic flowers are not because of the potential harm to the environment and to wildlife.

Plastic wrappings should be removed and disposed of. Any flowers that don't meet these conditions may be removed by the Rector and the Parochial Church Council.

The Rector may allow bulbs to be planted in the soil of any grave, but the planting of shrubs, trees or other perennial plants may not be permitted by the Rector.

Please be aware that Artificial grass and Astroturf are not permitted without specific approval from the Chancellor.

We hope that this information is helpful. We want you to be able to mark your loves ones grave in way that honours them, at the same tome as keeping the churchyard safe and beautiful for all those who visit.

The important thing to remember is that you are responsible for the maintenance and care of the the grave or ashes plot.