It has become necessary for Upchurch Parish Council to review the rules and regulations relating to the burial ground, due to the increasing cost of maintaining it. Many plots are non-compliant with the current rules that state there should not be any form of boundary markers (e.g. fences, edging etc), no dressing or preparing stones, or any shrubs (which can become overgrown and are costly to maintain). Our risk assessments are identifying areas of concern and it has also been raised by the grass cutting contractors. They have to maintain each non-compliant plot individually which increases the time, and therefore cost, of the overall maintenance.
We therefore propose that this area becomes a “lawned burial ground” where each plot would eventually have grass to within 1 foot of the headstone. The remaining 1 foot of soil would allow families to grow bedding plants/bulbs or for the positioning of a vase that is approved by Upchurch Parish Council.
Phone: 01634 363906.
Julia Cura
Clerk to the Parish Council
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