Q - Who is responsible for the memorial on a grave?
A - Whilst Halton Borough Council, as the Burial Authority, is responsible for maintaining the overall safety of the cemetery, the registered owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial is responsible for the memorial, and for ensuring that the memorial is well-maintained and is structurally safe.
The Council will not be responsible for any damage to memorials or gravestones by storm, wind, lightening, subsidence, vandalism or acts of a third party. The memorial owner is advised to check the warranty provided by their memorial mason at the time of purchase and it is always advised to insure a memorial against accidental damage and vandalism.
Q – My headstone has been marked as unsafe?
A - When a memorial poses an immediate danger, Council staff may intervene to make the memorial safe by means of lying flat or otherwise making it safe with a temporary support. The Cemeteries Office will then attempt to contact the registered grave owner with the contact details held on record. It is the grave owner’s responsibility to arrange a suitable repair.
Headstones that require work to make them safe but do not cause immediate danger will be marked with a notice explaining what to do next and the grave owners will be contacted. The grave owner has a
responsibility to have works undertaken promptly to rectify any potential issues.
If the grave owner cannot be contacted directly a sign will be placed on the headstone for the attention of the grave owner to contact the Cemeteries Office to take appropriate action and arrange suitable repairs. Halton Borough Council will act accordingly to resolve any issues if a grave owner cannot be identified.
Q – Why has grass been left long in some of the older and less visited sections of the cemeteries?
A – Following a 2-year trial across a number of older/less visited sections of the Council’s cemeteries, the council has adopted an approach to grass management that reduces habitat loss and improves biodiversity, this contributes to the Council’s overall aim of increasing these measures across the borough. Since this approach was introduced, several new species have been identified and are now thriving in these grassland areas. This approach also contributes towards the Council’s climate change adaptation targets.
As well as the environmental and habitat benefits, the new approach will also enable the Council to deliver a more efficient service and help make more effective use of the current resources available, by redirecting operational teams to conduct cemetery maintenance works that may otherwise not be possible.
Please be assured that all other operations such as cutting verges, litter picking, and memorial safety testing remain in place within these areas.
If there is a particular grave which requires regular access, please contact the cemetery office Cemetery.Enquiries@halton.gov.uk with the details so that your plot and route to it from the nearest path can be mown.
Q – How can I gain access to our family grave plot in areas of long grass?
A- If you frequently visit the cemetery and need to access a specific grave located within one of these areas the team will be more than happy to cut a pathway in and around the required memorial. Please contact Cemetery.Enquiries@halton.gov.uk
Q - Do I own the land of my grave or cremated remains plot?
A - When you purchase the Exclusive Right of Burial you do not own the land. You are only purchasing the rights to use your burial plot, which is currently for 50 years from the time of your purchase. Your Deed of Grant clarifies your date of purchase and date of expiry.
Q: What happens when the lease on a grave has elapsed?
A – At the end of the lease period, you will be offered the option to renew it. If not renewed, the cemetery may remove the memorial after a notice period.
Q: Does the ownership of the grave automatically transfer to next of kin after the owner of the grave lease dies?
A – No, if a deed holder is deceased the grave remains in their possession and will require a legal transfer of ownership to take place, this can be done using a will, probate, or a statutory declaration.
Q - If the soil on a grave has sunk, who is responsible to top up the soil?
A – The Cemeteries team will top up graves for up to 12 months after a burial has taken place.
Q - What can I place on my burial or cremated remains plot?
A - Floral tributes and trinkets are permitted within the soil boarder in front of the headstone - fencing, gravel and glass are not permitted. Please see cemetery rules or contact the office if you are unsure as to what is and is not acceptable.
Q - Why have items been moved from my loved one’s burial plot?
A – Items may have been removed due to being unpermitted. Please see link to the Cemetery Rules.
Q - Who is responsible for the maintenance of the Cemeteries, such as cutting the grass and emptying the bins?
A - Halton Borough Council’s Cemeteries Team are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all the borough’s cemeteries.
Q - Would I be able to provide a volunteering role in our cemeteries?
A -YES, we would welcome volunteers in a similar way to our Parks and Public Open Spaces. Volunteering in our cemeteries is a meaningful way to contribute to the development of our heritage, gardening, conservation, community engagement, and environmental and biodiversity needs.
If individually or as a group, please feel free to contact our cemetery team who would be happy to discuss your ideas.