Headstones and Memorials

We are very proud of the churchyard and have a responsibility to maintain the good order of the ground for the current generation and those that follow us.

Churchyards are set apart for the reverent burial of parishioners: those whose names are on the church Electoral Roll and those who die in the Parish. These churchyards are therefore part of our Christian faith and heritage and are, usually, full of character. Like people, churchyards are all different.

Just as a memorial that might be entirely suitable for one person would be altogether wrong for someone else, so a headstone that is appropriate in one churchyard may be unsuitable for another. So a memorial should respect its surroundings: it should be in harmony with those around it and with the churchyard as a whole. 

The character of the churchyard depends on that of all the memorials within it: no one of those should spoil that general appearance. Churchyards have to be maintained by the parish for centuries to come. This means that memorials should be designed to allow for that maintenance to be as simple as possible. That is why kerbed surroundings, railings, chains and chippings are not allowed. Inscriptions should be the most appropriate in all the circumstances, accurately commemorating the person who has died. Wording and symbols are best kept simple and dignified.

You will want the very best to commemorate your loved one, so do not become totally committed to any particular idea until you have thought it through carefully and do not actually commission any work until you have the Rector’s formal approval. You would be in a very difficult position if permission were not given for a memorial that had already been completed. The Rector is only allowed to approve monuments which comply with the Regulations set out in the download.

The Regulations are intended to encourage good practices in order to create and maintain a place of peace, dignity and respect for the departed. You can view the Blackburn Diocese Church Yard Regulations by selecting the image above on the right along with the local Church Yard Policy which is approved by the PCC on the left.