This information has been put together to help you understand how the Borough’s Cemeteries are run.

As well as explaining some of the unfamiliar terms, the information includes useful information on making arrangements.

Making Funeral Arrangements

Notice
Two clear working days notice must be given to the manager for an interment. Notice can be given by telephone during normal office hours but must be confirmed in writing 9.00am on the working day before the proposed burial.
The Manager will ask you to complete and return a printed form. We will not accept responsibility for the consequences from the loss or delay in receipt of any notice, order or other documents sent by post.

Time of Funeral
The time appointed for the funeral to take place is the time at which the funeral cortege must arrive at the entrance gate of the Cemetery. Strict punctuality is essential. If a funeral cortege arrives late, the service will take place as soon as possible thereafter at the discretion of the Manager.

Burial

Time of Burial
Burials are allowed Monday to Friday only, except Good Friday, Christmas Day, bank holidays or any other public holidays. Burials must take place before 3.00pm unless special permission has been given by the Manager and an additional fee paid.

Certificate of Disposal
The appropriate Certificate for Disposal is issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or Coroner’s Order for the burial must be delivered to the Manager on arrival at the Cemetery. The person making the funeral arrangements must notify the Manager in all cases where the deceased suffered from an infectious disease or was exposed to radiation.

Coffin
Wooden coffins or caskets must be used. Alternative types of coffin or container are allowed at the sole discretion of the Manager. Full details must be given at the time of Notice of Interment.

Site of Grave
All sites for graves are determined by the Manager. All graves and vaults will be excavated and opened by workmen employed by us.

Minister
The Funeral Director or other person arranging a burial is responsible for organising a minister to officiate at the burial service.
Services are limited to 20 minutes unless previously agreed by the Manager. If you expect a large number of people to attend a funeral, please let the Manager know as soon as possible.

Photography and Filming
Photography and filming are not allowed during a funeral procession or graveside proceeding without the Manager’s permission.

Private Graves

Exclusive Right of Burial
Any individual member of the public can purchase a grant of exclusive right of burial in a private grave or vault. The grant is valid for up to 50 years, and the owner is registered in the records at their chosen Cemetery. The owner may assign by deed or bequeath by will this right of burial. If so, we must be notified within seven days or as soon as practicable thereafter.

Memorials
A headstone or other memorial can only be erected upon any purchased grave with the prior approval of the Manager. On approval a permit will be issued valid for one year.

Materials
Memorials, any vases forming part of a memorial and bases associated with them must be made from best-quarried material and all dowels must be solid stainless steel. Memorials cannot be made from wood, metal, concrete or synthetic material and cannot be painted.

Appearance

Number of Grave
Memorials of natural quarried stone must have the number of the grave cut conspicuously in a position approved by the Manager. The expense is borne by the applicant.

Sizes
There are maximum sizes for headstones and kerbs sets. Further details from the Funeral Director appointed to make arrangements, or from the Manager.

Railings
Metal railings or palisading are not permitted. Also grave mounds are not allowed.

Good Repair
All memorials must be kept in repair by the owner. Otherwise, they may be repaired or removed by the Council at its discretion but at the expense of the owner.

Removing Memorials to Re-open a Grave 
The Manager may, if necessary, arrange for all memorials and stones to be removed where a grave is re-opened. The owner of the grave is liable for any expense incurred, and is responsible for the replacement of the memorial at his/her own expense.

Lawn Cemeteries

A grave space in a lawn section may be purchased on the understanding that:

Grave Space – the grave space around the memorial will be kept turfed and mown by our maintenance staff.

Memorial
No memorial may be erected on any grave other than one headstone or one combined headstone and memorial vase of a type approved by us. Its position must be approved by the Manager.

Wreaths and Plants 
Wreaths, flowers, plants or flower holders or other receptacles cannot be placed on any grave except for a seven day period at Christmas and Easter and after any interment has taken place. However, flowers may be placed at any time in a memorial vase if it forms part of the headstone.

Good Repair
All memorials must be kept in repair by the owner. Otherwise, they may be repaired or removed by the Council at its discretion but at the expense of the owner.

Interment of Cremated Remains

A space in the Garden of Remembrance (cremated remains section) at Stoke New Cemetery is on the understanding that:

Memorial
No memorial may be erected on any space other than one tablet of a type approved by us and in a position approved by the Manager. Further details of size, appearance and fixing are available from the Manager.

Wreaths and Plants
Wreaths, plants or other items may not be placed in the Garden of Remembrance unless they are placed upon the foundation slab.

Good Repair
All memorials must be kept in repair by the owner. Otherwise, they may be repaired or removed by the Council at its discretion but at the expense of the owner.

Maintaining the Garden
We reserve the right to prune back, cut down or remove any shrubs, plants, flowers or wreaths, which have, in the opinion of the Manager, become unsightly or overgrown.

Visitors

Drive and Paths
Visitors to the Cemeteries must keep to the drives and paths at all times.

Vehicles
Vehicles must not exceed 10 mph in the Cemetery's grounds, and must remain on the drives at all times.

Children
Children who appear to be under the age of fourteen years will not be admitted into the Cemeteries or Cemetery's grounds unless they are under the control of an adult.

Radios 
Radios, musical instruments etc. cannot be used in the Cemeteries without the Manager’s permission.

Animals
Dogs, pets or animals of any kind are not allowed in the Cemeteries apart from guide dogs accompanying blind persons. Except with the permission of the Manager.

Flags and Banners
Advertisements, placards, flags or banners are not allowed in the Cemeteries except with the permission of the Manager.

Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in any building within the Cemeteries.

Council Staff
Members of staff employed by the Council are not allowed to receive a gratuity.

When the Cemetery's Chapel is not in use for the funeral services, the public may be admitted at the discretion of the Manager.

Right to Refuse Admission
All persons entering and remaining in the Cemeteries shall comply with this Code of Conduct and any reasonable request of the Manager. The Manager has full power to exclude or removed from the Cemetery any member of the public who by reason of their behaviour he/she considers should be removed or excluded.

Unfamiliar terms explained

• Interment - another word for burial
• Owner - the person or persons who have purchased, and are then entitled to, any Exclusive Right of Burial granted by the Council or rights of interment of cremated remains.
• Lawn Cemetery - a Cemetery where the grave space around any memorial is kept turfed and mown. Stoke New Cemetery has special areas set aside as Lawn Cemeteries.
• Memorial  - a tombstone, headstone and any other permanent structure placed upon a grave or place of interment of cremated remains.
• Public Grave - a grave where no Exclusive Right of Burial has been granted. The gravesite is selected by the Manager and no permanent memorial or marker can be erected.
• Purchased Grave - a grave space where an Exclusive Right of Burial has been granted.
• Manager - he or she appointed by the Council to manage the Cemetery.

Guildford Crematorium
Bereavement Services
New Pond Road
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 3DB

Tel: 01483 444711
Fax: 01483 444745
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