St John's Church

Macaulay Road, Broadstone, Dorset

Home History Vicar's Monthly Leader Service Times

August 2009

FROM THE VICAR: There is occasionally a bit of confusion over public cemeteries and churchyards as to what is allowed and what is not allowed. Public cemeteries come under the jurisdiction of Civil Law and any other by-laws that may be laid down by the owners, who are often the local authority. Churchyards on the other hand, are subject to Canon Law and the regulations do not always coincide with those of other cemeteries – a clear instance is, that ashes are not permitted to be scattered in a churchyard, as in the grounds of a crematorium, and must always be interred.

No one actually owns a plot in a churchyard, but the fee that is paid provides a faculty (ie. legal permission) for the interment to take place. This is why we can see in some older churchyards, the memorials placed around the edges and the area turned into an attractive and peaceful open space – but only after more than ninety years have elapsed since the last burial – whereas some of the Victorian public cemeteries have become a jungle, because there are no subsequent generations willing to maintain the individual plots.

Memorials are a relatively modern addition – it is rare to see a headstone in a churchyard more than 300 years old – and the grounds of the really ancient parish churches will have been used many times over in their history.

The administration of any cemetery can be a total nightmare, because we are always having to deal tactfully with peoples' sensitivities and emotions – and not appear to be favouring one family against another.

Here at St.John’s, we have only the little Garden of Remembrance for cremated remains, that is brilliantly maintained for all of us by Peter Searle, who does this voluntarily. To make his job easier, nothing should be planted directly in the ground and flowers or potted plants should be able to be moved, so that the grass around can be trimmed and strimmed. Please may I ask that we continue to be sensitive to others and not place such large tributes on one plot as to overwhelm or encroach on our neighbour’s area?

We should be displaying the Diocesan Regulations on memorials in the Church porch and when I am able to get hold of a copy, I will ensure that this is done.

 

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