Churchyard

Your churchyard displays a variety of historic structures. The good management of your churchyard needs to take into account a range of issues, from the burial rights of parishioners (past and present) to the wildlife management of the churchyard.

Churchyard Maintenance

As a closed burial ground the responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the churchyard rests with Bracknell Forest Council (Section 215 of the Local Government Act 1972). The Church however remains control over the management of the Churchyard. Please do contact the council if you have questions regarding the maintenance of the churchyard.

Our environmental commitment

We believe we have a responsibility to safeguard God's creation and achieve a just world.

In recognition of the wildlife interest, the churchyard was entered into the Living Churchyards and Cemeteries Project in 2002 and received an Award in 2004. Work undertaken as part of the entry into the project has included monitoring wildlife, erecting bat and bird boxes and planting wildflowers. Despite its busy urban setting, the churchyard is a haven for wildlife. Over a hundred plant species are found here, including many traditionally found in churchyards, for example germander speedwell (Angel's eyes), snowdrops (Eve's tears) and greater stitchwort (Easter bell). The tombstones support lichens and mosses. Insects use the crevices present in many of the stones for shelter, and the stag beetle, an increasingly threatened insect which is listed on the Borough's Biodiversity Action Plan, has been spotted here.

The oldest living organism in the churchyard is a veteran yew tree near the south gate. Its girth exceeds 13 feet and in February its male cones release drifts of pollen into the wind.

Churchyard Regulations

The Churchyard regulations are a framework of rules shaped by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Oxford, that narrate the way in which the departed are commemorated in churchyards. The regulations are developed after consultation with the archdeacons of the diocese, the DAC and the diocesan registry. The framework of rules acts to achieve a balance between the need for individuals and families to mourn and to commemorate those they love and the needs of the community as a whole, including the needs of others whose relations and friends are also buried in the churchyard. The key principle is to make sure that all of our churchyards are places of peace and beauty, and form an appropriate setting for the church.

Please note that:

Graves may not be fenced or otherwise individually delineated.
Individual gardens, plants, trees or shrubs are not permitted, although the incumbent may permit the planting of a few bulbs or annuals on application.
Only cut flowers or wreaths (not plastic ones) may be left at the graveside. Silk flowers may be left until they fade or decay.
With the permission of the minister, up to three toys or similar objects may be left at the graveside for a period of twelve months after the burial or interment. After which they are not permitted.
Unauthorised, faded, and/or decayed flowers or objects will be removed by the incumbent without warning. This includes plant pots and flower receptacles/containers/jars etc above ground level and other non-permitted items such as ornaments or decorations.

Churchyard regulations

Internment of Ashes

It is at the discretion of the incumbent to permit the internement of ashes in the Churchyard. An application can be made if the deceased was resident in the parish and/or on the electoral roll of this Church. You may be asked to provide proof of address. The interment of ashes does not itself make the churchyard open again for burials, we remain closed to burials.

It is important to note that:

The interment of human remains is final. Exhumation only happens in exceptional circumstances
The bereaved must follow the diocesan churchyard regulations
Memorials can only be introduced in line with the regulations or with a faculty. That means that the size, materials and wording of any memorial have to be within the parameters of the regulations
There is no automatic right to a memorial. Permission must be given before it is put in place (see below)
Additional items are not always permitted depending on the terms of your diocese’s regulations (e.g. photographs, toys, windmills, etc)

Please complete this application form should you wish to have someones ashes interred in the churchyard.

Application for internment of ashes

Application to introduce a tombstone/memorial or ledgerstone

Nobody can introduce a tomstone/memorial or ledgerstone into a churchyard as a matter of automatic right. Permission is always needed.

The application will need to include a description of the proposed tombstone/monument or ledger stone detailing its size, design, materials, finish and inscription (including the style of lettering to be used).

The applicant must also provide by email: –

(a) a sketch, plan or marked-up photograph of the churchyard showing the position of the plot, and

(b) a sketch of the design of the proposed monument or ledger stone.

In the case of a tombstone/monument, the applicant must provide details of the depth to which the monument will be inserted into the ground to ensure its stability (unless it is to be supported by a pre-cast concrete shoe situated below the ground).

If you have all the information to hand and you a ready to make an application please do complete this application form. Please note that no authorisation can be given for a ledgerstone to be installed until six months have passed from the time of burial.

Application to introduce a memorial

Repairs to Monuments

As a matter of law, monuments are the property of the person who erected them, so long as that person is alive; and after that person has died, they become the property of the heir at law of the person commemorated. ‘Heirs at law’ is an ancient concept,

This work will require specific permission.

Please do contact us if you are considering repairing memorials.

Cleaning of Monuments

This requires faculty permission. It is a specialist job which should be undertaken with care.