The Parochial Council of The Church of the Epiphany, Austwick (PCC) are responsible for the upkeep of Austwick Cemetery, which is to be found at the western edge of the village towards the end of Clapham Road.

Austwick Cemetery is classed as a Churchyard by ecclesiastical law and as such the Diocese of Leeds ‘Chancellor’s General Directions’ apply in all matters to do with our churchyard.

The Chancellor’s General Directions can be downloaded here and a copy is available in church. It is important that those seeking burial in consecrated ground in a historic churchyard are aware of these regulations and agree to abide by them. This is a brief summary:

· Every parishioner, and those with a strong connection to Austwick, may be buried, or have their ashes interred in Austwick Cemetery, provided space permits. Others may be buried here with the consent of the Vicar, in accordance with the wishes of the PCC.

· Every parishioner, those with a strong connection to Austwick, or others who have the consent of the Vicar, in accordance with the wishes of the PCC, may petition the Diocesan Registrar for permission to reserve a grave space in Austwick Cemetery.

· Ashes may only be buried (interred), not scattered, in the churchyard, and should not be divided for burial; they are to be treated as a whole, and once buried, are not to be exhumed.

· Gravestones and cremation tablets may only be placed on a grave with the permission of the Vicar in writing and payment of the appropriate fee. Permission needs to be given for all new inscriptions, and additional wording to existing memorial stones, using the appropriate form (Appendix III of the Chancellor’s General Directions), signed by the next of kin, stonemason, and Vicar, before work commences. Memorials or the addition of wording on existing memorials are only permitted for persons buried in the churchyard.

· Burial plots are not owned by the next of kin, they remain the property of the church, but maintenance of memorials and gravestones is the responsibility of the next of kin of the deceased. Unstable headstones may need to be laid flat for health and safety reasons.

· The following are not permitted: kerbs, railings, fencing, free-standing vases, chippings and similar materials; mementoes, windmills, toys or little animals, solar lamps or similar and artificial flowers. These create difficulty and danger when mowing: such items will be removed promptly.

Austwick Cemetery is always open for all to visit and enjoy. Thanks to all users who help keep the beautiful churchyard tidy by removing flowers regularly. The PCC are grateful for our local volunteers who ensure the upkeep of Austwick Cemetery through regular mowing and tidying, and by developing the area as a place of natural beauty and environmental value. We always welcome new volunteers to join our committed team: please contact us if interested.

The PCC support the ethos of the national ‘Living Churchyards’ initiative by seeking to enhance wildlife and its habitat in our churchyard whilst upholding its value as an historic heritage site and developing it as a place which all visitors will enjoy and find beneficial.

Any concerns or questions about our churchyard, or enquiries about burials or memorial stones should be directed to Revd John Davies, Vicar: [email protected], 01524 805928. Thank you.