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Health & Safety of Memorials in Wigan
Leisure & Culture Trust Cemeteries
1. In the past, the erection of memorials by memorial masons has largely
remained unchecked and as a result this has meant that a number of
memorials are not adequately installed, becoming unstable and posing a
danger to the public who visit the cemeteries.
2. It is a requirement from the Health & Safety Executive that Wigan
Council (The Council) has a suitable inspection programme for their
memorials and must take the appropriate action on memorials found to be
unsafe.
3. All memorials are the sole responsibility of the Burial Rights owner
and this information leaflet is intended to make you aware of your
responsibilities and provide you with some helpful advice when you and
your family wish to purchase a memorial.
4. The Burial Rights owner is the only person entitled to authorise a
memorial mason to apply to the Council for works to be carried out either
to an existing headstone or to install a new memorial.
5. The Council has introduced a Memorial Masons’ Registration Scheme to
ensure that acceptable standards of workmanship are maintained in each of
the Councils cemeteries so they are safe places to visit. Members of the
public however must be aware that a masons inclusion in the scheme does
not mean that the work is guaranteed by the Council.
6. The Council has Cemetery Rules & Regulations in its lawn cemeteries
that stipulate the maximum/minimum size of the memorial that can be
approved. Details of these requirements can be obtained from the
Cemeteries Office or from a reputable memorial mason.
7. When you have decided upon a memorial of your choice, the memorial
mason on behalf of his client will submit a memorial application with the
signature of the Burial Rights Owner to the Council for approval. The
application is vetted in compliance with the Regulations and will be
either, approved, rejected or returned if further information is required.
8. Such application will incur a memorial application fee. The fee is set
by the Council and is normally included in the final account that the
memorial mason forwards to his client.
9. A permit document is then issued to the memorial mason. This document
allows the memorial mason to carry out work as requested by the Burial
Rights Owner.
10. The erection of a memorial and the execution of memorial works must be
carried out to the standard required by the National Association of
Memorial Masons Code of Working Practice.
11. Advice can be given upon request by the Cemetery Office or the
Memorial Mason on the insurance of memorials against accidental damage or
acts of theft or vandalism. It is strongly recommended that such an
insurance policy be obtained, as the Council cannot be held responsible
for such acts.
12. The Council requests that no fencing / edging are placed around the
lawn grave spaces as this can cause a hazard to members of the public
visiting a cemetery and to the Council maintenance staff.
13. If you have any concerns or information to report please contact the
Cemeteries and Crematoriums office on 01942 828993/4.
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