Below you will find terms and conditions where Temple Fields Cemetery Ltd will be referred to as ‘the company’ or ‘the site’.

The following regulations have been set to ensure that the company can maintain and preserve its burial grounds as closely to its most natural form as possible. The site has been created to be:

• A nature reserve that adds ecological value to its environment and surroundings.
• A peaceful resting place for those who have passed on and those who wish to mourn them.

Those wishing to use and visit the site will be expected to follow and accept the terms outlined below.

 

Access and Consideration

• The site is open all hours, 365 days a year, without restriction or need for appointment.
• Visitors must be considerate of funeral and memorial ceremonies of any religious or spiritual tradition.
• Litter must not be left on site. Bins will not be provided for public use by the company and all waste is expected to be taken home with visitors.
• To maintain the site’s peacefulness and tranquillity, mobile phones must be used must be used with consideration to other visitors and services that may be taking place.
• No ball games are permitted on any part of the site.
• Electronic games that emit noise are prohibited from the site.
• Amplified music is prohibited at the site unless you have permission from the company.
• Acoustic instruments may be played, but only when they do not cause disruption to other ceremonies or other visitors.
• Dogs and other domestic pets are not allowed on any part of the site, with exception of guide or assistance dogs.
• Camping and over night stays are not permitted on site. This includes the car park.
• The site is a no dig area as the ground is protected.

 

Conservation and Ecology

• We would prefer bodies that have been embalmed or treated with noxious chemicals to not be buried at the site. Please speak to the company if this is the case.
• Monuments, vaults, statues, fencing, railings, markers, memorials, or other fixtures may not be placed upon graves, other than the plaques provided by the Company’s recommended list of suppliers, in line with the site’s natural form.
• You may not plant trees, plants, bulbs, or flowers on the site without permission from the company.
• The company holds the right to remove anything from the site that is deemed inappropriate to the preservation of the burial ground, without permission.
• Picking, cutting, gardening, and pruning flowers or trees on the site is prohibited.
• Visitors are asked to keep to the mown grass paths to avoid damaging the natural ground and meadow.
• Visitors must not disturb the wildlife unnecessarily and shooting or hunting is strictly prohibited at the site.

 

Grave Plots and Cremations

• Full payment for the plot is due at the time of purchase.
• Double depth plots are permitted, if a tree is required this will be planted after the second interment.
• What is acquired when a grave plot is leased from the company is the grant of the right of burial (Local Government Act 1972, Section 214(3) in that site only. The right is held by the licence holder as stated on the licence issued by the company.
• The deed of grant only provides for the burial of the deed holder, or any individual nominated by the deed. Licences are not transferrable, except by agreement with the company.
• Once burial has taken place, the deed secures the right to rest undisturbed.
• Leasing a plot on the site does not authorise ownership of the ground or any other rights.
• Graves plots must be purchased or reserved in advance directly from Temple Fields Cemetery Ltd.
• After a purchase, there is a 30 day cooling off period where the deed may be returned and all monies are refunded. After 30 days, all monies paid for a plot will be non-refundable.
• The licence is valid for 150 years. Once this time has elapsed, if the grave plot has not been used, the company will contact the deed holder to ask if the grave plot is still required. If it is, the licence can be reissued, but an administrative fee may apply.
• If the plot has not been used after 40 years and the deed holder cannot be contacted by the details given to the company, the company will assume that the plot is no longer required. Monies already paid will not be refunded.
• It is the responsibility of the deed holder to ensure that the company has up to date contact details.
• A standard plot allows for a 3 feet wide coffin, including handles. If the coffin is wider than this, a larger plot or two plots must be paid for.
• Only standard size grave plots can be bought in advance. If a large plot is required at the time of burial, the extra cost will be payable.
• Plots for cremated remains may be bought in any number.
• Only human remains may be interred at the site. The burial and scattering ashes of pets and other animals is not permitted.

 

Allocating Grave Plots

• A location may be chosen from a choice of plots that will be provided by the company, ensuring minimal disturbance to the ecosystem of the reserve, and surrounding grave plots.
• The company will effectively record and mark the location of graves using appropriate methods. All records will be kept at the company’s office. There will also be an off-site copy.
• Markers may not be conspicuous to visitors as to not interfere the landscape.
• You may request the company to search the database of burials and printed extracts may be purchased for a fee.

 

Interments, Funeral Services and Ceremonies

• Interments may be arranged with the company in normal office hours, Monday – Friday, 9-5pm.
• Interments can take place on any day of the year at the discretion of the company.
• Surcharges may be applied for interments on weekends and bank holidays depending on availability of staffing.
• Burials and scattering of ashes can only take place once arrangements have been made with the company, and a date and time has been agreed. This ensures that the plot is ready, the necessary documentation has been received, and services or ceremonies are respectfully spaced apart.
• The company usually requires 48 hours’ notice for the necessary preparations to be completed.
• There will be no surcharge for funerals arranged at short notice.
• The company will take into consideration any religious or other requirements where appropriate.
• Bodies cannot be moved once interred at the site without a licence from the Secretary of State, under the Burial Act 1957, Section 25.
• The excavations and filling in of grave plots will be carried out by the companies recommended grave diggers, arranged by your funeral directors.
• The excavations and filling in of cremation plots will be carried out by the company warden.

 

Coffins, Urns and Shrouds

• The company requires the use of biodegradable, environmentally friendly coffins with minimal varnish or glue, such as shrouds, woven coffins or coffins or caskets made from willow, bamboo, recycled paper or softwood. This is to minimise disruption to the wildlife and ecosystem.
• Coffins, caskets, and shrouds can be purchased through your chosen funeral director.
• Cremated remains and ashes must be interred in biodegradable urns, boxes, or poured directly into the grave plot. Plastic urns therefore cannot be interred.

 

Memorials and Tributes

• Flowers and other tributes may be placed on graves at the time of funeral or memorial services. These will be removed by the company, without permission, after five days in order to minimise disruption to the ecosystem and to remove non-biodegradables.
• Memorials that are not in keeping with the natural feel of the site may be removed more quickly by the company, without permission.
• Trees may be acquired, from the company’s native tree list, as living memorials in the woodland area of the site are guaranteed for ten years. If a tree dies during this period, it will be replaced. After that time, the woodland will begin to develop naturally.
• If a plaque is damaged as a result of any actions of the company, it will be replaced at the company’s expense.
• The company cannot accept liability for damage which occurs otherwise, such as natural disaster or due to weather.

 

The Company

The regulations set by the company may be updated or altered according to need. Such alterations may be carried out at the discretion of the company, and you are advised to regularly review such regulations.

 

Legal

The Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order, 1977, Article 10 – Grant of Burial Rights (6) No body shall be buried, or cremated human remains interred or scattered, in or over any grave or vault, in which an exclusive right of burial for the time being subsists except by, or with the consent in writing of, the owner of the right. The paragraph shall not extend to the body, or remains, of:

• The person who is immediately before his death was the owner or the right; or
• Any other person specified in the deed of grant or in an endorsement thereon made at the request of the owner for the time being of the right by the officer appointed that purpose by the burial authority.

A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages any property belonging to another intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether any such property would be destroyed or damaged shall be guilty of an offense.

 

Temple Fields Cemetery Ltd.

Registered Office: 1711 High Street, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0LN.

Email: office@templefields.info

Tel: 01564 779 531