Where are the Burial Records, and Whom Should I Contact?
The Registers of Burials, and other records, are held for safe keeping with the Property Services Division. No records are kept at the cemeteries, and therefore queries should be directed to the staff at the Whitfield Offices and not to the cemetery staff, as it is unlikely that they will be able to be of any assistance. (E-mail: burials@dover.gov.uk or telephone 01304 872458.
I am searching for a burial site for a relation, how far back do the records go held by Dover District Council?
Dover District Council hold records for all burials in the Dover District since 1870. Further records for burials in East Kent Church Yards are held by Canterbury Cathedral please contact them by phone on 01227 762862.
How are the Graves Arranged?
The sections currently in use are laid out as lawn plots to enable the maintenance of the area to be carried out more effeciently. The sections are set out with headstone borders, two feet in width, with a rose bush planted between each plot. To avoid maintenance problems and to preserve a pleasant uniformity, the headstone borders should not be altered in any way, nor should any border edging of any kind be placed on a grave. For similar reasons the headstone borders are kept clear of any plants or vegetation, and the grassed areas kept flat and unplanted.
Can I Erect a Headstone or Memorial Vase?
A memorial can only be erected on a purchased grave. Your Monumental Mason will be fully aware of the Council's requirements concerning the size, materials and methods of fixing the memorial and will be pleased to advise you on the procedures to be followed before the memorial can be erected.
How do I Obtain Permission for a Headstone?
An application for approval signed by the owner of the Deed of Grant of the grave is sent to the Environmental Services Office by the Monumental Mason at least fourteen days before the monument is to be erected. Once approval to the application is received in writing from the Head of Environmental Services, the erection of the memorial can take place.
Who Manages the Cemeteries?
Enquiries and applications should be made through the Property Services Office. All funerals, burials or disposal of ashes, and erection of memorials, are under the control of the Head of Property Services. Any works must be carried out to the satisfaction of the Council, and anything placed or planted on any grave, other than an approved memorial, becomes the property of the Council, and may be removed should it be considered necessary.
Can I Ask Cemetery Staff to do Works on My Behalf?
Although the Council's staff are willing to advise in any way they can, they are not allowed to be privately employed to carry out any works within the Council's Cemeteries.
How Do I Purchase a Grave?
Plots in the Council's cemetery are generally purchased at the time of the first burial, and the Funeral Director can make the application on your behalf. Plots may, however, be purchased in advance by applying to the Head of Environmental Services through the Whitfield Offices. Please see our burials page for fees and an application form. A purchased plot carries with it a Deed of Grant for Exclusive Right of Burial for one hundred years and is proof of purchase. It is an important document and should be kept in a safe place.
Am I able to plant anything on the grave?
Nothing may be planted within the headstone borders of the lawn plots except for the roses provided by the District Council. The Council maintains the headstone borders without charge to the owners.
Shrubs, roses etc. may be planted within the graves in the older kerbed sections of the cemeteries although the Council reserves the right to remove any plant which becomes overgrown or untidy.
Where are the Children's Gardens of Rest?
There are children's Gardens of Rest at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dover, Hamilton Road Cemetery, Deal, Boatmans Hill Cemetery, Sandwich and at Aylesham Cemetery.
These are laid out with headstone borders for your memorials and tributes. The remainder of the area is grassed for ease of maintenance.
What are the advantages if I purchase a grave plot?
The purchase of a grave space gives the purchaser certain rights and privileges. For instance, purchased graves may be dug deep enough to allow for up to four burials. This allows members of the same family to be buried in the same plot at later dates, if they so wish. No purchased grave may be re-opened for another burial without satisfactory proof that the owner, or his or her successor in title, has given consent. The registered owner also has the right to erect and maintain one memorial on the grave. The owner also has the right to transfer the Right of Burial to any relative in which case the Deed of Grant should be sent, with a covering letter, to the Head of Environmental Services for endorsement, and for the records to be changed.
What About Unpurchased Graves?
Unpurchased graves are prepared for one or two burials only, and no headstone or memorial vase is permitted. However, a removable flower vase less than twelve inches in height may be placed on the grave.
What Happens if the Headstones Become Dilapidated or Dangerous?
Graves are sometimes difficult to maintain in which case they may be turfed over at the owner's request, free of charge, by contacting the Head of Environmental Services in writing.
Who Chooses the Position of the Grave?
The selection of grave space is at the discretion of the Council and allocations are made by the Environmental Services staff.
Can the Council Maintain a Grave For Me?
The Environmental Services office will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements for any grave to be maintained or planted/maintained by the Council. Invoices for these services are generally sent out in December each year and new requests for either of these services must be received by the first week in March to be included in that current year's maintenance programme. Any request received after that date will be added to the programme as soon as possible.
How do I obtain a grave space?
Although a grave space can be allocated without purchase, the large majority of new graves today are purchased by the family or next of kin of the deceased. Purchased graves are still subject to the cemetery regulations, but they enjoy a number of privileges, not least of which is the right to erect a headstone by way of memorial.
Can I Have More Than One Memorial?
The registered owner of a purchased plot has the right to erect and maintain one memorial on the grave. This can either be a headstone or a memorial vase and must be placed at the head of the grave. Inscriptions on memorial vases are restricted to the name, initials and age and date of death.
Are kerbstones and enclosures allowed as memorials?
The Council is anxious to maintain a high level of maintenance throughout all its cemeteries and to ensure a high standard of care for all the plots within its control. Any kerbstones or other enclosures on any grave would present difficulties in this area and are therefore not permitted except where they already exist in the older parts of the cemeteries.
What are My Responsibilities for the Memorial?
Memorials are the responsibility of the owner of the grave. Although the Council is not responsible for maintaining a memorial nor for any damage caused to it, owners are advised of any damage and will be given time to arrange for its repair or removal. In the case of a memorial which has become unsafe or dilapidated, the Council has the right to make it safe by laying it down and may seek authority to remove it after which time the memorial will be stored for one year to allow the owner sufficient time to deal with the problem. A memorial erected without permission may be removed without notice, although the next of kin will normally be contacted beforehand to be given the opportunity to apply to purchase the Deed of Grant.
What Floral Tributes Can I Place Upon the Grave?
Floral decorations can be placed on any grave. In order to keep cemeteries in a neat and tidy condition floral tributes will be taken from the grave and disposed of as soon as they are seen to be decaying. This is usually 7-21 days after the interment. If relatives wish to retain the bases to the floral tributes the District Council will need to be advised of this fact at the time of the interment.
Telephone No. (01304) 872458
E-mail: burials@dover.gov.uk
