Specification for the Construction and Installation of Memorials
Following receipt by the Mason of the formal written
approval of the Head of Property and Procurement, the installation of the
memorial(s) may proceed - all in accordance with the following specification:-
- All memorials, and other erections shall be of natural stone or
other approved materials including suitable hardwoods, and provided
with sufficient footings to prevent uneven settlements. Non-ferrous
metal dowels shall be used in all stonework erections. A detailed
description of the Approved Form of Construction and Installation
is given below at (7) and is based on the recommendations of the National
Association of Memorial Masons. ("NAMM").
- A memorial shall be erected at the head of the grave space or,
in the case of lawn plots, central to the headstone border. No widening
of the headstone border will be allowed.
- All monuments and grave stones are to be erected, the adjacent ground
to be formed and laid, and all other works are to be executed as may
be required by, and to the entire satisfaction of the appropriate
representative of the Head of Property and Procurement except that the
right of appeal to the Council may be exercised. All works once started
must be proceeded with from day to day until completed otherwise the
approval given thereto may be withdrawn.
- The number and section of the grave shall be cut in 16mm letters
on the rear bottom right hand corner of the memorial, other than a
vase.
- Work on memorials shall not be carried out on Sundays or public
holidays.
- The maximum size of headstones shall be as follows:-
Cremation graves not exceeding 75cm x 60cm wide with a base no greater
than the width of the headstone border i.e. 30cm.
| Headstone Borders |
Not exceeding 1.06m in height, .76cm wide, |
| Ordinary Grave Plots |
.45m deep. |
- FIXING FOR MEMORIALS BASED ON THE NAAM CODE OF WORKING PRACTICE
(a) Dowels. Note - Attention should be given to careful drilling,
filling and sealing of all dowel holes. It is very important to use
a good quality non-shrink grout.
(b) Memorial Stones up to 1.06m High
The memorial stone shall be fixed to the base with two solid non-ferrous
or fully galvanised dowels, galvanised to BS729 (1971), as amended,
and of an appropriate thickness:-
ie. Memorial stones up to 63mm thick, dowels shall be a minimum of
10mm diameter;
Memorial stones over this thickness, dowels shall be a minimum of
12mm diameter.
There shall be 25mm dowel length per 300mm of memorial stone height
in both stone and base, with a minimum of 50mm in both stone and base
when the stone is less than 600mm in height.
Dowel holes in the memorial stone can be up to 6mm larger in diameter
than the dowel. Dowel holes in the base can be up to a maximum of
12mm larger in diameter than the dowel.
For dowels larger than 12mm diameter the dowel hole can be double
the size of the dowel.
(c) Memorials on Narrow Bases
Where a memorial stone is fixed on a narrow base eg. a plinth with
no vase space, the following shall apply.
· The memorial stone shall be dowelled to the base.
· The base shall be dowelled to the foundation.
· The sizes of dowels and dowel holes used shall be as in paragraph
7(b).
(d) Dowel Holes in Memorial Stones and Bases
Holes should be drilled carefully to ensure the sides of the holes
are not fractured in any way.
(e) Joggles
If this method of fixing is used, the joints must be adequately dowelled.
- BOLTING SYSTEM
If this method is to be used the Council must be consulted.
- FIXING AND FOUNDATIONS
(a) General
All memorials shall be set at the proper level for the design, with
due allowance being made for sloping ground, fixed in alignment with
the other memorials in the cemetery. Joints shall be properly pointed.
As previously stated, careful attention is to be given to drilling,
filling and sealing of all dowel holes. A good quality non-shrink
grout is to be used.
(b) Memorial Stones with Bases
Memorial stones with bases shall be fixed with the base fully bedded
on a concrete/hardstone foundation slab which is at least 75mm larger
all round than the base.
Memorials shall be proportioned correctly to ensure stability.
All surfaces to be fixed shall be completely roughened to form a good
key and cement adhesion. This applies to the memorial stone, base
and foundation.
Provision should be made for adequate drainage on all memorials and
their foundations; likewise in vases and bases.
(c) Memorial Stones without Bases
Where a base is not used, a memorial stone shall be fixed securely
in a concrete/hardstone show or dowelling directly to a concrete/hardstone
foundation slab of the necessary thickness.
The recommendations regarding the use of dowels, as shown in paragraph
7(a) shall be observed.
- TABLETS AND OPEN BOOKS
(a) Recumbent Tablets
Recumbent tablets shall always be fixed on adequate foundations with
a minimum 10° slant and a drainage hole provided in the ground
at the foot of the slope.
(b) Memorials on Rests
Memorials supported by rests shall have the rests dowelled both to
the memorial (eg: book) and to the base, as described in paragraph
9(a).
(c) Dowels Between Bases and Rests
The dowels between base and rest(s) shall be 12mm in diameter and
shall project 50mm in both base and rest(s). The dowels may, if considered
necessary, project through the base into the foundations by a further
25mm.
(d) Dowels Between Books and Rests
The dowel holes should be drilled midway on the inclined face of the
tick rest(s). Any book or tablet with flat or shaped pages must be
dowelled between rest(s), and shall be a minimum of 6mm in diameter
and shall project a minimum of 25mm into both the book and the rest(s).
The above details apply to all books, tablets etc., on tick/notched
rests and support rests. Where the memorial is on raised rests, the
lip shall be at right angles to the slope of the rest and deep enough
to support the memorial's weight. However, where support rests are
used a "v" groove or channel shall be cut into the surface
of the base acting as a locating point for the book to fit into. This
groove or channel shall be of sufficient depth as to prevent any forward
movement of the books. Alternatively, the bottom of the memorial shall
be chamfered so that it fits to the base.
- KERB SURROUNDS
(a) A kerb surround shall be fixed on a suitable foundation e.g. a
reinforced concrete or approved natural stone sectional foundation
or landing/plinth. Kerbs and posts shall be fixed securely with either
non-ferrous or fully galvanised dowels or cramps (galvanised to BS729
(1971) as amended).
(b) The fixing of kerb memorials on sloping ground requires special
consideration as it is dependent on site conditions.
- MEMORIAL STONES WITH KERBS
(a) Where a memorial stone is fixed to a base the recommendation concerning
dowelling as laid out in paragraph 9(a) shall apply.
(b) Where the memorial stone is fixed directly on to the foundation
see (11 (a), the dowel length into the foundation shall be 50% of
that recommended for bases in paragraph 7(b) above, with a minimum
of 36mm and the thickness of the foundation shall be sufficient to
accommodate this. These dowel sizes only apply where memorial stones
are also dowelled to kerbs.
- GROUND SUPPORT FIXING SYSTEMS
(a) The ground support fixing systems which will be permitted are
those which have been tested and approved by NAMM.
Telephone No. (01304) 872458
E-mail: burials@dover.gov.uk
