Herefordshire Council
Bereavement Services
Herefordshire Council Bereavement Services Introduction Herefordshire Council’s Bereavement Services provides a caring, sensitive and professional service to bereaved families and their loved ones, offering support and advice regarding aspects of funerals and memorials. Bereavement Services consists of four cemeteries across the county and also a crematorium which is situated in Hereford. This brochure contains information regarding Bereavement Services, contact details and advice. Contents 1. Introduction & Opening times 2. What to do when someone dies 3. Hereford Crematorium 4. Let There Be Light 5. The Garden of Remembrance 6. The Memorials 7. Millennium Garden of Memory
8. Options for cremated remains 9. The Cemeteries 10. The Cemeteries Continued 11. Owners Responsibilities 12. Owners Responsibilities Continued 13. Useful information Back Page. Frequently asked Questions
Hereford Crematorium and Cemeteries opening times The office is open Monday to Friday. 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
SUMMER OPENING - 1st April to 31st October Monday to Sunday Hereford Crematorium Grounds
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Book of Remembrance Room is closed at 5:00 p.m. each day Hereford Cemetery Grounds
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Leominster Cemetery Grounds
Open 24 hrs (Cemetery Gates not Locked)
Kington Cemetery Grounds
Open 24 hrs (Cemetery Gates not Locked)
Wigmore Cemetery Grounds
Open 24 hrs (Cemetery Gates not Locked)
WINTER OPENING – 1st November to 31st March Monday to Sunday Hereford Crematorium Grounds
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Book of Remembrance Room is closed at 5:00 p.m. each day Hereford Cemetery Grounds
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Leominster Cemetery Grounds
Open 24 hrs (Cemetery Gates not Locked)
Kington Cemetery Grounds
Open 24 hrs (Cemetery Gates not Locked)
Wigmore Cemetery Grounds
Open 24 hrs (Cemetery Gates not Locked)
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What must you do when someone dies? What to do in the first few days You will not be able to do everything right away, but in the first few days it is important, if you can, to: •
tell the family doctor
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contact a Funeral Director, if you intend to use one - if the death occurs at home or in a nursing home the Funeral Director will need to be contacted to move the deceased to a Chapel of Rest
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begin arrangements for the funeral - you should check the Will for any special requests.
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obtain a medical certificate of cause of death signed by a doctor or if the Coroner is involved take instructions from the Coroner's officers regarding registration of the death
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register the death at the Register Office. You will find details of how to do this in the section on registration
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if relevant, complete form BD8 and send to the local Jobcentre Plus or Benefit Agency given when you register the death.
As early as possible: •
contact the Executor as soon as you can to enable him/her to start the process of obtaining Probate if necessary. The Executor is usually nominated in the Will
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if there is no Will, decide who will apply to sort out the deceased's affairs and contact the Probate Registry to apply for 'letters of administration' if necessary
Documents you will need in the first few days You will need to gather together the following documents as soon as possible - to enable registration of the death and to start funeral arrangements. Documents •
medical certificate of the cause of death, signed by a doctor unless the Coroner is involved and there has been a Coroner's post mortem
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birth certificate *
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marriage/civil partnership certificates *
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NHS Number/NHS Medical Card *
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organ donor card (if appropriate)
* It is not necessary to have these documents but you will need to provide information contained within them, e.g. date and place of deceased's birth
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Hereford Crematorium Westfaling Street Hereford HR4 0JE Hereford has had a crematorium since 1956. In 2008 work started on building a new crematorium on the same site and this new facility opened in March 2009. The Crematorium Chapel can now seat up to 120 people with room for a further 100+ people standing. We allow 30 minutes for the actual service with the services timed at 45 minute intervals to allow for the movement of mourners in and out of the chapel and to give us time to make the chapel ready for the following service. However, if families require more time then it is possible to book and additional service time for a nominal fee. The chapel has an organ and a music system to enable families to play particular tracks of music, with the system also incorporating a Hard of Hearing Loop. We have installed two projectors in the chapel to enable families to display photographs or short videos should they wish to do so. With the entrance and exits on opposite sides of the chapel, families no longer need to feel rushed after the service is over, giving them the time to look at the floral tributes and greet friends and relatives. The chapel has a magnificent large stained glass window which was very kindly donated and there is the opportunity for four further such windows. Adequate parking facilities are now available with disabled parking areas located near to the building.
Floral Tributes
You may wish to leave flowers in memory of your loved one. Vases are available in the sheltered area by the Book of Remembrance Room. For safety reasons, please do not leave glass or pottery.
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Let There Be Light - And Also Colour The death of someone we love is an event like no other. Yet it can also be the time which inspires us to do something that makes a huge difference in other people's lives. Such is the story of one man’s gift to the people of Herefordshire. Richard Claridge with his partner John Sperry had both attended their share of crematorium services. Like many others, their already low spirits were made lower by the cold, institutional setting. “Why so impersonal and dreary?” they often wondered. Then John died when he was 58, and Richard, remembering their many conversations on the subject decided he would only inter his companion's cremated remains after a service in a building that John himself would have been cheered to visit. At this time, plans were already well advanced for the new crematorium in Hereford, until Richard stepped forward, that is. Seeing the opportunity, he offered to donate a new stained glass window – one that would be appropriate to the purpose of the building, yet at the same time be uplifting and calming for those within it. After many months in the design and painting, the window was installed. “No one likes going to a crematorium,” said Richard, “but this window lifts our spirits, and John would have loved it too”. A scheme has now been developed for the remaining four windows. In time, as new donations come in, it will be possible to transform the whole north-west face with warm and gently coloured light, a source of comfort and inspiration. With help, Hereford crematorium can become a unique and special building.
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Book of Remembrance There are three volumes of the Book of Remembrance and each book is updated once a year. Each volume will remain open at the appropriate page for that day so that inscriptions may be viewed on each anniversary of the entry, whether it be the date the person died, their birthday or any other special day in their lives. These Books are made and inscribed by skilled craftsmen and are carefully hand bound using traditional materials and processes. Relatives and friends may have a memorial entry consisting of two to eight lines recorded, with the first line being for the persons name only. A flower, bird, badge or other motif may be included with entry. The choices of illustration are limitless, but please ask about the practicality of your chosen design at the Bereavement Services office. If you cannot attend to view the Book of Remembrance on the day which the entry appears, staff are available to turn the Book to the page you require, by appointment. The Books are periodically sent away to the calligraphers to be inscribed so the volume you wish to see may not be available. To ensure viewing is practical, please contact the office before you visit. The Garden of Remembrance The Garden of Remembrance contains memorials to those cremated at Hereford and are designed to create an atmosphere of peace and serenity. The Garden is of a formal nature with pathways flanked by kerbs displaying bronze and granite memorial plaques. The Informal Garden of Remembrance is a tranquil area containing the lawn in which remains are interred. Memorial Trees and Benches can also be sponsored, subject to availability. Memorial Tree The memorial plaque with a spur can be placed under a Memorial Tree located in the Garden of Remembrance and in selected areas within the Millennium Garden and cemetery grounds. We may be able to offer a choice of tree and your preferred area within the garden, however, this would depend on availability and the current planting scheme at the time of application.
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Memorial Plaques There are two types of Memorial Plaque available. They can be made out of bronze or granite. The initial cost of this memorial includes the plaque and a lease to display for a period of 10 years. Families have the option to renew or extend the lease as often as they wish. Please note cremated remains are not interred with these memorial plaques. These memorial plaques can be displayed in the following areas:-
Kerb Edge
The memorial plaque can be fixed to the kerb edges leading into the Informal Garden of Remembrance. Kerb plaques are for a period of 10 years with the option to renew after that time. We have dedicated areas around the lawns of the Gardens of Remembrance for kerb plaques with an option to have more than one name on the plaque. Space is provided at the rear of the plaques for families to purchase a small vase (6” x 6” x 6”) to display flowers. Memorial Bench The memorial plaque can be fixed to a Memorial Bench located at specific areas within the crematorium or cemetery grounds. Each bench will have up to a maximum of three memorial plaques at any one time. Once again we may be able to offer some choice as to the area available.
Triptych Memorials and Memorial Cards These memorials can contain a copy or variation on the inscription in the main Book of Remembrance, or as a separate form of memorial. They can provide personal family information and are suitable for keeping at home or sending to distant relatives and friends who cannot easily visit the Crematorium.
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The Millennium Garden of Memory This garden was created in the year 2000 to provide an additional area for interring cremated remains. It is entered through ornate wrought iron gates which were specially commissioned for the garden. The planting in the raised gardens gives year round colour and provides a peaceful haven when visiting the Garden. Sanctum 2 The Sanctum 2 is a grey granite memorial vault in the walled garden with an inscribed granite tablet in relief lettering and includes an integrated flower vase. The initial lease of 30 years gives exclusive right for the interment of two sets of cremated remains. The cost of this memorial includes the lease and exclusive right, the first interment and the inscribed tablet. An engraved decoration on the tablet is available on request. Sanctum 2000 The Sanctum 2000 is a grey granite memorial vault on the path side with inscribed granite tablet in gilded lettering including an integrated flower vase. The initial lease of 30 years gives exclusive right of burial for two sets of cremated remains. The cost of this memorial includes the lease and exclusive right, the first interment and the inscribed tablet. An engraved decoration on the tablet is available on request. Memorial Vase Block Memorial Vase Block is a grey granite memorial with inscribed tablet in relief lettering and integrated flower vase. The initial lease on the Vase Block is for 30 years. This vase is in memory of the loose interment of cremated remains, in an unmarked spot, in the informal lawn surrounding the Millennium Garden of Memory. The cost of this memorial includes the lease of the vase block, the interment and the inscribed tablet. Each of the above memorials can be used as a memorial only, with the cremated remains having been interred elsewhere. For more information or to purchase a memorial please contact the Crematorium Office
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Options for the Interment of Cremated Remains The decision as to the final resting place of a loved one is extremely important and one that should be considered carefully. Talk to your Funeral Director about the options available to you. Alternatively, you may contact us at Bereavement Services and we can discuss the options in more detail. The Garden of Remembrance at Hereford Crematorium The cremated remains are interred as a loose burial (without a casket) in an unmarked location in the Garden of Remembrance at Hereford Crematorium. When requested, the interment would usually take place two days following the cremation and be carried out by a member of staff. Members of the family can witness the interment, if requested. Please contact your Funeral Director or the Crematorium Office to arrange an appointment. Interment in the Millennium Garden of Memory As previously described. Hereford, Leominster, Kington and Wigmore Cemeteries Remains can be interred in a Cremated Remains Section within the cemetery. Each plot is prepared for two sets of remains and a memorial tablet can be situated in memory. The Exclusive Right of Burial is initially granted for a period of 50 years. Leominster Cemetery Garden of Memory
The cremated remains are interred as a loose burial in the Garden of Memory. Family members, if requested, can witness the interment. Please contact your Funeral Director or the Crematorium Office to arrange an appointment. There is an opportunity to purchase a memorial plaque to be situated on the pathways surrounding the Lawn Garden. In all Cemeteries Cremated remains can be interred in a grave within all Herefordshire Council operated cemeteries. The Exclusive Right of Burial (initially granted for a period of 50 years) must first be purchased. Each grave space can be used for up to 16 sets of cremated remains. Once again, a memorial can be erected in memory of the deceased.
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Herefordshire Council Cemeteries We understand our important role for the bereaved and our experienced staff ensures the smooth running of funeral services. We are able to advise on all aspects of burial. We maintain close links with Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons in order to provide the best possible service. If you would like to inspect the burial registers, please contact our office. Hereford Cemetery Westfaling Street Hereford HR4 0JE
There is a small Chapel with an organ and seating for up to 45 people. The burial area comprises of Dedicated Lawn Sections, a small Jewish Section, a Children’s Burial Section and a Cremated Remains Section.
Leominster Cemetery Hereford Road Leominster
There is a small Chapel with seating for up to 45 people. The burial area comprises of Lawn Sections, a Kerb Section, a Children’s Burial Section and a Cremated Remains Garden of Memory where Memorial Plaques may be situated.
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Kington Cemetery Located on the outskirts of Kington on the Eardisley Road.
There is a small Chapel which can be used for services with prior consent from Oak Tree Funeral Services. The burial area comprises of both Lawn and Kerb Sections and a Cremated Remains Section.
Wigmore Cemetery Located on the outskirts Wigmore village.
A very small cemetery with a burial area comprising of Lawn and Kerb Sections and a Cremated Remains Section. Exclusive Right of Burial The Exclusive Right of Burial to a grave space can be purchased as part of the funeral arrangements, or can be pre-purchased in reserve for future use, subject to the approval of Bereavement Services and consistent with the Council’s general plan. Where at all possible the wishes of the purchaser will be considered. The Exclusive Right of Burial gives the purchaser control of who may be interred in the grave and the opportunity to apply for a Right to Erect a memorial. The Grant of Burial Right is for 50 years from the date of purchase and may be extended at any time. A grave deed is issued shortly after the burial has taken place. For any future interments in a grave the grave deed must be produced to the office for the grave to be opened otherwise a Statutory Declaration will be raised if the transfer of ownership is required. When digging a grave we always dig for maximum depth for every new grave purchased at our cemeteries. The Burial Rights to the following type of grave space are available: Full size grave space - for the interment of up to two persons and eight cremated remains caskets. Cremated Remains Grave - for the interment of up to sixteen cremated remains caskets Cremated Remains Plot - for the interment of up to two cremated remains caskets. Child Grave - for the interment of one child under the age of 5 years. Child Grave - for the interment of one child not exceeding the age of 15 years. Why can’t I have what I want on the grave? When a new grave is purchased it is not the ownership of the land itself that is purchased, but the rights to have burials take place in that grave. These rights are sold, or to be more correct, 'granted' on the grave in accordance with the rules and regulations of the cemetery. It is important that you select the cemetery that will provide you with the type of memorial that you require as regulations differ from area to area. This can be checked out by contacting the office and making enquiries about the choices and options available.
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Responsibility of Grave Owners When you buy a grave you purchase the Exclusive Rights of Burial in that grave for a set period of time. At the end of the period you should be given the option of renewing the Rights for a further period. It is vitally important that you keep the Bereavement Services office fully informed should you change address, otherwise you may not receive a notice of renewal at the appropriate time. The grave owner/s are the person or persons whose name/s appears on the Grave Deed. This is the only person who can instruct further interments or who can apply for the Right to Erect or Maintain a memorial and then authorise memorial works to be carried out. Right to Erect and Maintain a Memorial Prior to a memorial being erected on a grave space, the holder of the Exclusive Right of Burial of the grave must submit an application form requesting the proposed erection of the memorial. The Right to Erect and Maintain a Memorial will be issued and will run concurrently with the Exclusive Right of Burial, subject to approval. Memorials need to conform to cemetery regulations with regard to size and fixings and the memorial also needs to be checked for stability under health and safety regulations. To a certain extent this helps protect your interests although you will remain responsible for the maintenance of the memorial in the future. You should ask your Memorial Mason for a workmanship guarantee. We strongly recommend that grave owners take out insurance to cover their memorial against theft, loss or damage. At the end of the period a renewal may be granted subject to the Exclusive Rights of Burial being issued for a further period and the memorial being in good condition. (The memorial will receive a full inspection and stability test and any defects found must be repaired). Should you not wish to renew the Right or you cannot be contacted Bereavement Services can lawfully remove any memorial after giving a set period of notice for you to remove the memorial yourself. Who is responsible for the memorial Whilst the burial authority is responsible for maintaining the cemetery in a safe condition the grave owner/s have a responsibility to maintain their own memorial in a safe condition throughout the period of the Right to Erect and Maintain a Memorial. If they fail to do this Bereavement Services may take action to make the memorial safe. Your Memorial Mason also has a responsibility to provide a memorial of merchantable quality and to erect it in a safe manner. You should insist that the memorial is erected in accordance with the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) Recommended Code of Practice and seek a guarantee from your Memorial Mason. We carry out routine inspections of memorials in the cemetery. When one is identified as being unstable and likely to fall and injure someone it might be cordoned off, laid flat or have a temporary support installed. Wherever possible grave owners will receive a letter in these circumstances and it will be their responsibility to arrange suitable repair. Should the memorial still be under guarantee the Memorial Mason will be responsible to carry out repair at no extra cost to the grave owner/s. Should you ignore the notice sent to you your memorial may well be laid flat and when the lease expires you will not be allowed to renew it until repairs are made. Should no repairs be carried out and after further notification, the memorial may be lawfully removed from the cemetery.
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What happens if / when the Grave Owner dies? Ownership of the Exclusive Right of Burial in a grave can be transferred from a deceased owner via that owner's estate. The means of transfer can be complex and while there is a set procedure to follow, each case must be looked at individually. If you need to transfer ownership you will need to contact Bereavement Services, where staff will assist you in arranging for a transfer to take place with due compliance within the law. A transfer will not need to be completed for the burial to take place, as it is the right of the owner to be buried in the agreed grave. However, before any memorial work is carried out, a transfer of rights will need to be carried out. Interments - Lawn Sections A lawn section is an area which, as the name suggests, is laid to lawn after the interment. Up to a maximum of two coffin interments may take place and the option to inter up to eight sets of cremated remains. Cremated remains may be interred any time, but it must be stressed that further coffin interments would not be able to take place. Space is provided for the erection of a memorial headstone (subject to regulations). We endeavour to ensure all interments are levelled and seeded within twelve months. Once the grave has been seeded, no planting or ornaments are permitted on the grave space. Kerb Sections We only have one kerb section within our cemeteries for new interments and that is in Leominster. A kerb section is an area which after the interment may have a kerb memorial erected (subject to regulations). Up to a maximum of two coffin interments may take place and the option to inter up to eight sets of cremated remains. Cremated remains may be interred any time, but it must be stressed that further coffin interments would not be able to take place. We endeavour to ensure all interments are levelled and seeded within twelve months. Cremated Remains Sections A cremated remains section is an area designated for the interment of up to a maximum of two interments. A tablet memorial (subject to regulation) may be placed over the plot. In Hereford Cemetery the tablets are surrounded by chippings and grassed pathways. Children's Section We have a designated children's section in Hereford Cemetery and a small section in Leominster and Kington for children up to five years old. Child graves are for one interment only with the opportunity to erect a child headstone or kerbs (subject to regulations). Hereford Cemetery also has a section for children from five years up to fifteen years, once again for one interment only with the opportunity to erect an adult size headstone or kerbs (subject to regulations). Memorial Regulations in the Cemetery The right to erect a memorial in memory of the deceased is dependent on the Exclusive Right of Burial having been purchased and compliance with current regulations. The Erection Right runs concurrently with the Exclusive Right but is subject to the following conditions. All memorials must be of natural quarried stone and be obtained and installed by a qualified Monumental Mason who is signed up to the Council’s Memorial Masons Registration Rules. Stone chippings are only permitted on the kerb section.
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Choosing a Memorial Mason Bereavement Services has a Memorial Mason Registration Scheme. Only those Memorial Masons who have signed up to the scheme are eligible to work in cemeteries under our control. Memorial Masons on our approved list have agreed to fit memorials in line with the latest guidance and to a high standard. They are also required to provide a minimum guarantee for all works carried out. A list of approved Memorial Masons can be requested from this office. The Memorial Mason will assist you in completing the necessary application form. Memorial Inspections Herefordshire Council has a responsibility to ensure its cemeteries are as safe as is possible. Part of this responsibility involves inspecting all memorials. Every memorial will be subject to an inspection at least every five years. All defaults following inspection are to be rectified by the grave owner within the period stated by Bereavement Services. Bereavement Services retains the right to make safe any memorial in the most appropriate manner. The inspection involves checking the memorial for damage as well as carry out a simple risk assessment. Appropriate action will be taken on any memorial considered to pose a significant risk. This may involve a safety support, stake and banding, removing the memorial or laying the memorial flat. We will always seek to contact grave owners to notify them of the reason this action was taken and request that the memorial is reinstated to the required standard within a given period of time. Family Research Bereavement Services receive many requests from people researching their family history. The registers for Herefordshire cemeteries and Hereford Crematorium are held at the Crematorium Office in Hereford. Bereavement Services staff will happily search on your behalf for a small fee, alternatively you can come to the office and look through some of the records yourself. When contacting the office please try and have as much information about the search as possible. Further Information If you require further information on any of the topics discussed, or would like to see our Memorial Information Brochure, with applications and price list, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is your right to use the grievance procedure if you are dissatisfied with any of our services. If you would like to inspect our cremation or cemetery facilities, please feel free to contact the Crematorium Office. A copy of the Reference Charter is available to be viewed or borrowed on request. This leaflet can also be made available in large text. Email : bereavement@herefordshire.gov.uk Website: www.herefordshire.gov.uk
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AND RENOVATIONS
10 YEAR GUARANTEE RE-INSTALLATION OF UNSAFE MEMORIALS STANDARD GROUND ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS FITTED
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Frequently Asked Questions? Who should I contact? For enquiries about any one of our Cemeteries & Crematorium please contact the Crematorium Office situated at Hereford Crematorium on 01432 383200 When can I visit? Please see opening times on page one Does the closing time change during the year? Yes. As the seasons change so does the closing time. (See page one of this guide for the times) Sources of help and further information Cruse Bereavement Care Tel: 01432 359469 The Samaritans Tel: 01432 269000 www.samaritans.org.uk For more information about Herefordshire Council Please visit: www.herefordshire.gov.uk Bereavement Advice Centre What to do when someone dies Tel: 0800 634 9494 www.bereavementadvice.org What are the contact details for the Bereavement Services offices? Herefordshire Council Bereavement Services Crematorium Office Westfaling Street Hereford HR4 0JE Tel: (01432) 383200 Fax:(01432) 383201 Email: bereavement@herefordshire.gov.uk Published by Brochures UK, 40 Rockburgh Crescent, Preston, PR4 5RD Tel: 01772 498366 The distributor does not endorse or support any of the products or services advertised in this publication and is in no way liable or responsible for any such products or services.