Resources
Memorials
"Cemeteries are highly valued. The
primary role of any cemetery is to provide a place to bury and commemorate the
dead, and to provide a focal point for mourning and religious observance.
However, because they provide green oases within built-up areas, cemeteries are
also places for rest and contemplation in a more general sense, offering
opportunities for fresh air and exercise, or simply a place for quiet communion
with nature. The coexistence of nature and art, sometimes in an uneasy alliance,
accounts for much of their character and makes them a unique
historical, cultural and natural resource." Paradise Preserved, English Heritage 2007
Cemeteries and churchyards are fascinating places but they can be a burden to the local communities who have to look after them. We regularly hear about volunteers' concerns about health and safety and the responsible management of churchyards. We have therefore out together some brief guidance with links to further information on this page.
General information about the legal responsibilities involved in caring for churchyards is contained in Responsible Care for Churchyards - A Brief Practical Guide for Parishes on the Church Property section of the Church of England website. Guidance on the Treatment of Human Remains is also available via the Church of England website.
Memorial Safety
Adopting a sensible policy regarding memorial safety seems to be one of the most frequent concerns expressed by volunteers. This is understandable but it is important to realise that there is no simple rule that can be used to decide whether any particular memorial or headstone poses a risk as much depends on the size and nature of the memorial as well as its current fixing method and condition. The following links therefore provide access to a range of current advice. Most of the advice is written with local authorities in mind but is equally relevant to other groups who look after churchyards or cemeteries.
- ICCM Management of Memorials (Code) April 2007
- A message from HSE concerning the safety of memorials for Local Authorities acting as Burial Authorities (BAs)
- LGO Special Report - Memorial Safety in Local Authority Cemeteries
- Advice
on Maintenance of War Memorials from the War Memorials Trust
Wildlife
Many churchyards and gardens play a significant role in terms of local biodiversity and may even be a vital haven for an endangered species. It is therefore important to understand the nature of the site and its wildlife in order to ensure that the way we manage and maintain our manmade environment fosters a positive relationship with the natural environment.
The main piece of legislation relating to nature conservation is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This Act is supplemented by the Conservation Regulations 1994 (as amended) and the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 (in England and Wales). Essentially the legislation exists to protect wild plants, animals and birds and imposes penalties if such creatures are intentionally killed or injured. Useful information concerning wildlife legislation can be found on the website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Further help and guidance can be found on the website of Natural England.
Lichens are one of the most interesting plants to be found in our churchyards and gardens. In
unpolluted areas, lichens often form mosaics of colour, adding to
the character and interest of the site and should be protected. They vary in form from simple, powdery
scatterings and crusts to more elaborate leafy or even bushy structures. Lichens are actually two
‘plants' in one: a fungal partner usually forms the visible body of the lichen
and within, protected by threads of fungus, cells of algae provide nutrition,
utilising sunlight in the same way as green plants. Contrary to popular opinion, lichens do not
‘feed' on the stone, bark or soil upon which they grow.
When thinking about how to manage your place of worship it is important to consider the impact your maintenance regime will have on species such as lichens. Spraying chemicals around the base of walls or gravestones to discourage ‘weeds' may damage existing lichen colonies and leave unpleasant stains. If, on the other hand, memorials are left to disappear under a sea of bramble, ivy or cow parsley, the lichens on them will wither and die through lack of light.
For more information about lichens visit The British Lichen Society website.
For general information about wildlife in churchyards see
The Living Churchyard by David Manning.
You may also be interested in Caring for God's Acre - an independent charity working in the Diocese of Hereford and providing advice on churchyard management.
Cleaning
It is generally best not to attempt to clean gravestones, memorials and statues which reside out of doors, especially if they are colonised by lichens.
You should certainly avoid using proprietary cleaning
solutions for marble and granite, particularly where they contain sodium
hypochlorite (bleach) or sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) as these chemicals are very harsh and may
inflict considerable damage on the surface of the stone. Where cleaning is felt to be necessary for an inscription to
be made legible, this can be achieved by using a soft brush and plain
water only.
Spraying with pesticides or vigorous scrubbing will cause more damage to the stone than any lichen colonisation.
Further information on the care of carved stones can be found on the website of ICON - the Institute of Conservation.
