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Death & bereavement
Memorial safety checks
Michelle France - August 2008
michelle.france@kirklees.gov.uk
How to contact us...
| By email to |
bereavement.services@kirklees.gov.uk |
| By phone |
01484 234060 |
| By fax |
01484 234067 |
| In writing to |
Bereavement Services
Environmental Services
Riverbank Court
Wakefield Road
Aspley
Huddersfield
HD5 9AA
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Introduction
Do you own a family grave or headstone in any Kirklees Cemetery?
Please take a few moments to read this, it is aimed to help you understand why it is necessary for the council to carry out safety inspections on family memorials to ensure a safe environment in our cemetery to visitors and staff.
Do you know anyone who visits a cemetery or owns a memorial? If you do, please advise them to read this information.
Why are we testing memorials?
Over the past five years there have been several accidents to members of the public in cemeteries across the country, several have been fatal.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) want councils to inspect memorials at least once every five years, making safe those that fail the inspection process.
Some cemeteries throughout the country, that have been found with high numbers of unsafe headstones, have had "Disclosure Orders" placed on them by the HSE. It can result in them being closed down until the cemetery has been made safe. This affects members of the public who wish to visit friends and relatives buried in the cemetery and those who want to hold funerals during this time.
We appreciate that testing and making safe memorials may cause upset to bereaved families, but our priority has to be the safety of those people visiting cemeteries.
How do we test?
We have employed staff who are trained in testing memorials. Two people conduct each test. The first part of the test is a visual inspection to identify the type of memorial and its condition. The second part is tested with a piece of equipment known as a Topple Tester. This equipment measures the amount of pressure applied at a given point, up to 35kg. If the memorial starts to move before reaching this point the inspection is stopped and the reading on the Topple Tester is recorded and the memorial is stake and banded. If the memorial withstands the 35kg of pressure the memorial is classified as safe.
In November 2005, Bereavement Services introduced a detailed inspection programme based on colour and category classifications as shown below:
- Category 1 - Red - For memorials requiring immediate attention. Following completion of remedial works, re-inspection would be carried out in five years time.
- Category 2 - Amber - For memorials requiring repairs and re-inspection in a years time.
- Category 3 - Green - For memorials requiring re-inspection in 5 years time.
A Memorial Safety Team comprising of three employees has been established to undertake the task. Inspection and remedial works shall be undertaken on a plot by plot basis. Each memorial within every cemetery under the Services jurisdiction shall be inspected in accordance with the above classifications. The inspection scheme shall be reviewed on an annual basis.
For any memorial which has been classified Red or Amber, we will write to the owners, providing we have up to date records. We will inform them of the safety inspections findings and offer advice.
What do we do if we find a problem?
If there is a problem with the stability of the memorial we will stake and band the memorial.
Who is responsible for the safety of a memorial?
Responsibility in the first instance rests with the purchaser or owner of the memorial, or the stonemason or the person who puts the memorial up. In most instances, memorials are many years old and the purchaser/owner has either moved away or has passed on and no family member is currently maintaining it.
Memorial masons who have erected these memorials may also have moved away or retired. The High Court ruled that where a memorial mason had erected a memorial properly it should stand for at least 30 years without repair.
What have we done to make contact with owners?
The records of many owners are extremely old and have not been updated by current relatives/family members. There have been notices posted within the cemetery grounds about the safety inspection process. We contacted the Wakefield Diocese for permission to carry out the testing in the consecrated areas. We encourage all memorial owners or visitors to the graves to update current contact details so that we may keep them informed of future memorial inspections. You can contact the Bereavement Services Office on 01484 234060 between the hours of 9.00am until 4.00pm Monday to Friday to update your contact details.
What do you do if you are advised that your memorial is unsafe?
We understand that this may be upsetting for you, and apologise for any distress it may cause.
If your memorial has had a temporary fixing to make it safe and/or a warning notice attached, you can choose to either:
- Have the memorial repaired by a Kirklees or BRAMM Registered Memorial Stonemason, or Structural Engineer
- You can give permission for the memorial to be laid down by contacting the Cemetery Office on 01484 234060.
If you choose to have your memorial repaired then please use the documents we have enclosed in your letter, do not attempt to repair or remove memorials yourself. Only approved memorial masons, or cemetery staff where appropriate, should carry out this kind of work to make sure safety standards are complied with.
Download the list of Kirklees Registered Memorial Stonemasons (PDF)
A list of Kirklees Registered Memorial Stonemasons can be obtained from us.
What are we doing now?
We are continuing to implement a safety inspection programme of memorials on a five-year rolling programme. We do not underestimate the distress this safety action has caused to many visitors to our cemeteries and we will do all we can to ease the upset.
What do you need to do?
If you are concerned about the safety of your memorial you can arrange for a registered memorial mason to inspect your memorial for safety or ask for a safety inspection from a trained member of Cemetery Staff.
Alternatively you can get in touch with:
The National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM)
27a Albert Street
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 2SG
Tel: 01788 542264
If you are concerned about your family memorial, or even just for peace of mind, we strongly recommend insurance cover. A registered memorial mason will know of a company that offers this.
Keep your contact details up to date with the cemetery office as explained earlier.
Please be aware that cemeteries are potentially dangerous places. Visitors to cemeteries should keep to footpaths, avoid touching any memorials and ensure that children are supervised at all times.
For further information on headstone testing please contact:
The Institute of Crematorium and Cemetery Management
Tim Morris FICCM
National Office & Jill Rodacan Training Centre
City of London Cemetery
Aldersbrook Road
Manor Park
London
E12 5DQ
Tel: 020 8989 4661
Fax: 01753 770 984
E-mail: tim.morris@iccm-uk.com
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