Guidelines on ordering a memorial with Brent Council

Memorials in Alperton, Paddington Old and Willesden New cemeteries

Memorials of dimensions up to 5' feet tall with a footprint of up to 6'6" x 2' 6" are allowed on full size graves and of up to 3' tall with a footprint of up to 3'x 2'6" on half graves spaces are allowed in the Alperton, Paddington Old and Willesden New cemeteries.

We may move permanent memorials at any time in order to carry out its duties regarding burials and upkeep of the cemetery.

Prior to placing a permanent memorial

1. Wreaths and other tributes will be removed 4 weeks after the date of burial. To keep tributes or wreaths on a grave for a further 4 week period permission must be obtained from the Council.
2. Only a grave surround supplied by the council will be permitted on the grave area. All fencing/bordering/edging will be removed and disposed of without notice.
3. All items must be placed and kept inside the grave surround area. All Items found to be outside of the surround area will be removed and disposed of.
4. Temporary wooden crosses or upright nameplates on a single peg will be permitted. Temporary wooden crosses or upright nameplates will be removed when an authorised memorial is erected. 5, No stone chippings, glass chippings, slate chippings or non organic coverings are allowed inside or around the surround.
5. Any non organic covering will be removed and disposed of immediately by the cemetery staff without notification. The grave owner will be charged £25 by the council for the cost of the removal and disposal.
6. All plants must be in pots for 3 months after the burial. Plants not in pots during the 3 month period will not be taken out and replaced during the topping up of the grave.
7. Annual bedding plants or bulbs are permitted. Trees, shrubs, Conifers, Roses and any plants found to be other than the above will be removed and disposed of without notice.
8. The area within the grave surround must be kept clear of long grass and weeds at all times. If the area within the grave surround is found to be overgrown with long grass or weeds at any time the surround may be removed without notice and the grave will be grassed over.
9. Any type of memorialisation must be authorised by us prior to installation. Owners of graves with an unauthorised memorial on a grave will be given written notice to have the memorial removed at their cost. If they do not remove the memorial within 28 days of the date of the written notice the council will have it removed and disposed of, the cost will be reclaimed from the registered grave owner.
10. Authorised permanent memorials. Once a permanent memorial has been placed the surround will be removed.

Memorials in Carpenders Park

Carpenders Park is a Lawn Cemetery opened in 1954 and permanent memorials are currently restricted to horizontal solid bronze or bronze resin plaques only.

Temporary grave markers and crosses are allowed for the 12-15 month period but will be removed when the grave is set to lawn.

A permit for a temporary marker must be obtained from the Cemetery Office before the marker is place on the grave.

Details for memorials

A fee is chargeable for placing a permanent memorial on graves prior to placing any plaque or vase on a grave, a Memorial Application Form signed by the registered grave owner, with a drawing showing the dimensions and fixings of the plaque and the proposed inscription, must be submitted for approval by the Memorial Officer. These are available form a memorial masons or from the address below. A minimum of six months should be allowed to pass before a plaque is placed.

Masons and other workmen will not be admitted to the Cemeteries before 8 a.m. and must leave not later than 4.30 p.m. or the stated time of closing, whichever is the earlier. Work will not be permitted on Sundays or Public Holidays.

Plaques and vases must be prepared ready for fixing before being taken into the cemetery.

Masons or other persons engaged in the placing or renovation of any memorial must perform the work expeditiously and in all respects in accordance with these Regulations. The work must be carried out at the sole risk and liability of the person executing them, and any damage caused by or in the execution thereof shall be made good to the satisfaction of the council or other person whose property is so damaged.

No memorial may be removed from the cemeteries (by any person other than the council) until the consent in writing of the owner of the memorial has been received by the service.

We do not accept responsibility for the safe keeping of, or damage to, any memorial or flower container within the cemetery and advises all risks insurance cover be taken out for your memorial.

Detail for plaques

Solid bronze or bronze resin plaques which must be fixed at the head of the grave in a position and in a manner approved by and to our satisfaction are the only types allowed.

The permitted sizes of plaques are:

• Private grave - 600 mm x 600 mm, 600 mm x 300 mm or 300 mm x 300 mm, the total area to be covered being limited to 600 mm x 600 mm.
• On other graves - one plaque, size 300 mm x 300 mm, in respect of each interment.

Each plaque must be fixed to a landing stone not less than 75 mm in thickness and of a superficial area equal to the area of the plaque, and shall bear the full grave reference in not less than 12 mm letters at the bottom right-hand corner.

Vases and troughs

Every flower vase and trough must be set in the ground so that its top does not protrude above the level of the surrounding ground.

One small flower vase or trough is permitted at the head of each private grave. 10. It is the Grave owner's responsibility to ensure their memorial is level and has not sunken.

We reserve the right without giving any notice whatsoever:

• to remove any memorial not being maintained in a position and in a manner to the satisfaction of the council
• to remove any memorial, or alter its position, if such a course appears to the council to be desirable in order to preserve the amenities of the cemetery
• to remove any memorial so that the opening of a grave may be facilitated
• to remove any unauthorised memorial or flower container.

We reserve the right to recover any expense incurred in the event of taking action in situations outlined above, and this expense is recoverable from the persons to whom the memorial belongs.

Guidance on maintaining a grave plot before a permanent memorial is placed in Carpenders Park

Wreaths and other tributes will be removed and disposed of four weeks after the date of the burial. To keep tributes or wreaths on a grave for a further four week period permission must be obtained from the council.

A temporary wooden cross or similar upright simple temporary nameplate on a single peg is permitted prior to laying to lawn.

Bordering, stone chippings, glass chippings, slate chippings or any kind of coverings are not permitted. Any of the above found on a grave will be removed by staff without prior notice.

During the first three months after the burial all plants placed in the grave area must be in pots. Plants not in pots during the first three month period will not be taken out and replaced during the topping up of the grave (the grave may sink dramatically in the first 3 months and requires additional soil to be added to keep it level).

Once three months have past from the date of the burial the grave may be planted out with annual bedding or bulbs. Trees, shrubs, conifers, roses and any plants found to be other than the above will be removed and disposed of without notice.

Any time after 15 months of the burial the grave will be laid to lawn. The owner of the grave will be given four weeks notice which will enable them to clear the grave of items they wish to keep.

Other than an authorised memorial all items found on or in the grave at any time after the four weeks notice period has passed will be removed and stored on site for a full calendar month. Items not claimed by the end of the calendar month of storage will then be disposed of without further notification.

Only authorised memorials will be permitted after the grave has been laid to lawn. Owners of graves with an unauthorised memorial on will be given written notice to have the memorial removed at their cost. If they do not remove the memorial within 28 days from the date of the written notice we will have it removed and disposed of, the cost may be reclaimed from the registered grave owner.