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Churchyard POLICY

Churchyard and Garden of Remembrance Policy 

 

Thank you for reading this information carefully and working with St. Martin’s to ensure that the churchyard remains a place of solace and dignity in accordance with ecclesiastical law. 

 

Please be assured of our continuing prayers for all who are mourning the loss of a loved one at this time. We hope that these guidelines will help to ensure that your family in the graveyard and / or Garden of Remembrance remains a special place where you will feel close to God. 

 

Graveyard 

There are no further burial plots available within the graveyard and no new burial plots are permitted. We have a limited number of plots for the interment of ashes and some family plots where ashes can be added subject to the appropriate consents. We are legally bound to follow The Diocese of Exeter’s Churchyard Regulations 2013 which can be found on their website. This clearly details necessary permission and memorial criteria. This regulation also explains how no artificial flowers are allowed except for Poppies for Remembrance Day and traditional Christmas wreaths which must be removed after a period of one month. Other than the approved memorial plaque applied for, no other ornaments or plaques are permitted. Anything not complying with the diocese regulations may be removed by, or with the authority of, the Parish priest or Rural Dean or Archdeacon during vacancy.  For the remaining plots the criteria for internment is as for within the Garden of Remembrance. 

 

Criteria 

In accordance with ecclesiastical law, ashes can only be in interred in a plot in the churchyard at a Service of Interment conducted by the Priest in Charge at St Martin’s or by a visiting Minister approved by the Priest in Charge (or in their absence the standing committee of the PCC). The person whose ashes are thus interred must be in one of the following categories: 

  • those who live in the Parish at the time of their death; 

  • those whose name is on the electoral role at the time of their death;

  • a child under 16 years old of a person on the Electoral Roll of the parish; 

  • those who have a long standing connection with St Martin’s as deemed by the Priest in Charge; 

  • those permitted at the discretion of the Priest in Charge.  

 

Garden of Remembrance 

Once the remaining plots are full, the PCC will only be able to offer interment of ashes in the Garden of Remembrance within the churchyard. This is consecrated ground. It is owned by the Church of England and, as the churchyard was closed in 1996 it is now maintained by Teignbridge District Council. 

As a church, we are committed to ensuring that the Garden of Remembrance is maintained properly whilst remaining sensitive to the needs and feelings of everyone. 

 

St. Martin’s Garden of Remembrance: Guidelines 

  1. Criteria for eligibility for interment into the Garden of Remembrance is the same as for the graveyard. 

  2. Ashes will be interned into a hole measuring 150 mm. Any form of casket, box or case to hold the ashes is not permitted. Ashes may not be scattered. 

  3. The place where the ashes are interred cannot be permanently marked. However, those who are interred within the Garden of Remembrance will be recorded in the Book of Remembrance held within the church. 

  4. Spaces cannot be reserved in advance of someone’s death or selected according to a preferred location within the garden.

  5. To honour sensitivities and comply with legislation:

- no tablets, headstones or other memorials are permitted;

- shrubs, trees, lights, ornaments or items of any kind, including artificial flowers, 

- may not be put on or around the plot or in any part of the Garden of

Remembrance.  Any such items will be removed by the Priest in Charge or 

designated members of St. Martin’s. 

  1. There will be the option to install a temporary (2 year) wooden memorial cross with name of the deceased engraved. This cost will be reviewed annually by the PCC and be installed by our approved supplier to the agreed specifications, ordered through St. Martin’s. 

  2. The churchyard and Garden of Remembrance are maintained by Teignbridge DC and St. Martin’s.  Whilst care is extended at all times, St. Martin’s cannot accept responsibility for any damage incurred during mowing and upkeep. 

  3. Whilst every reasonable effort is extended to care for the churchyard and Garden of Remembrance, as they are open spaces with easy access, St. Martin’s cannot be held responsible or liable for damage to or vandalism of any headstone, memorial tablet or other items placed on or in the churchyard, howsoever caused.  

  4. Cut flowers can be placed in the Garden of Remembrance but these must be removed as soon as they appear to be withered. No artificial flowers shall be allowed. No bulbs, plants or additional shrubs or trees may be planted in the Garden of Remembrance without express written permission of the Priest in Charge. 

  5. Any inquiries are to be directed to the Priest in Charge.

  6. From time to time there may be the opportunity to sponsor a plant, shrub or bench in memory of a loved on. This will be agreed by the PCC with fixed costs and advertised locally.

 

Reviewed by St Martin’s PCC Date: 18th March 2026

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