This page is currently being updated. If you have any further queries please contact
webmaster@havant.gov.uk
Memorial Inspections & Procedures
Havant Borough Council is committed to providing a safe
environment for those visiting our cemeteries. To comply with
current guidelines from the Ministry of Justice (Jan 2009) and
other organisations we are now conducting only visual and hand
testing (memorials under 1 Metre in height).
The use of a calibrated instrument will only be used to give a
reading when a memorial is found to be unsafe.
If you are a plot owner or a regular visitor to any of our
cemeteries please read on.
Background
Since Victorian times memorials have been erected at the head of
graves as a permanent reminder of those buried within. It has often
been wrongly assumed that memorials are permanent structures,
installed to the highest standards, and will last forever without
any need for repair. Unfortunately, this assumption has cost the
lives of six people in the past 12 years, most of whom have been
children, and there have been countless accidents ranging from
bruising to severe crush injuries and bone breakages. For more details see this inventory
>>
Following research into memorials it is clear that Cemetery
Managers now have to tackle years of neglect and poor workmanship,
although the memorials do not belong to them: they are still the
property of the owner of the grave rights.
Why are we testing memorials?
Cemetery Managers have a responsibility, under the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure that risks within their
cemeteries are properly managed.
The cemetery’s management is faced with a ‘no win’ situation:
testing and making sure memorials are safe may cause
upset to bereaved families. However it will be done in as sensitive
a way as possible only by fully trained staff.
How will we be doing this?
We will be continuing an inspection programme on all headstones
and memorials in our three cemeteries.
Those headstones and memorials that are found to be
unsafe may be carefully secured or laid down.
What happens if the headstone moves?
If movement of the memorial is detected, details of the grave
number and section are noted. Our burial registers are then checked
for information regarding the present owner and address. We will
write to the named person and advise them of the situation. (If the
memorial is under guarantee we will contact the stonemason).
What do you need to do?
If any of your details change please contact the Cemeteries
Office. Visitors to cemeteries should keep to footpaths,
avoid touching any memorials and ensure that children are
supervised at all times.
What to do if you are advised that your memorial is unsafe
We understand that this may be upsetting for you, and are sorry
for any distress. Please do not attempt to repair or remove
memorials yourself, they are very heavy and for your own safety,
and that of others, only qualified stonemasons should carry out
this kind of work.
If you have any concerns/ questions or require further
information about the testing please contact the Cemeteries
Office.
Cemeteries Service, 2 Penner Road, Havant, Hampshire,PO9
1QH.
Telephone 023 9244 6425
E-mail: cemeteries@havant.gov.uk