Types of memorials available

Memorial headstones 

Any memorial on a grave must be installed by a monumental mason who is registered with the Northumberland County Council registration scheme.

Fixed vases 

Subject to approval, vases are permitted in all council cemeteries. These must be installed by a monumental mason who is registered with the Northumberland County Council registration scheme. 

For both headstones and fixed vases, the monumental mason will ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted to the relevant bereavement services office. 

Blyth Crematorium memorials

Memorial plaques 

Bronze memorial plaques can only be applied for and installed through Northumberland County Council. It can be fixed for 10 years to the edging along the paths in the garden of remembrance.

The bronze memorial plaque is nine inches in length and three inches in depth and the inscription is cast.   

Most families only wish for one name on the inscription, but it is possible to have two, as long as the inscription isn’t more than 75 letters, including spaces, on the five lines.    

Memorial plaques in designated cemeteries 

Where appropriate, brass memorial plaques are available to lease for a period of 10 years. They measure at six inches by four inches and can have an inscription of your choice and can only be applied for and installed through Northumberland County Council.    

Memorial benches 

Once approved, memorial benches with a bronze plaque can be purchased and placed in a suitable location in Northumberland if space is available. Provision of a memorial bench must be done solely through the council as this is a standardised agreed build. All memorial benches and plaques come with a 10-year lease, which is renewable.  

The book of remembrance at Blyth Crematorium

The book is kept at the crematorium in the book of remembrance room, open 365 days a year. 

• Find out more about our book of remembrance.

Application forms to have a loved one’s name included in this book are available from the crematorium office or in the book of remembrance room.    

Book of remembrance room opening times: 

• April to September - opens at 8am and closes at 8pm 
• October to March - opens at 8am and closes at 6:30pm 

 The door in the book of remembrance room will automatically be locked at closing time each day, however any person still in the room will still be able to leave.

Memorial cards & miniature books of remembrance

Memorial cards and miniature books of remembrance are intended as a personal remembrance. Once applied for, they will be sent to the applicant direct from the manufacturers.   

They provide family records and could be sent to distant relatives and friends. The books/cards are of very high quality and will have the same craftsmanship and inscription as seen in the large books at Blyth crematorium.   

Examples can be seen at Blyth crematorium. Application forms are available from the crematorium office or in the book of remembrance room.  

The garden of remembrance

The garden of remembrance has been constructed as a memorial to all who have been cremated at Blyth crematorium. 

• Find out how your loved one's cremated remains can be scattered in this area.  

Memorial restrictions

If you wish to place a memorial of any description on a grave, it has to be approved by the council and the appropriate fee paid. Otherwise, we have the right to remove it without informing you.   

Designated lawn section of the cemetery: 

• height restriction of three feet six inches (1050mm) 
• width restriction of three feet (900mm) 

Cremated remains lawn section: 

• height restriction of two feet six inches (750mm) 
• width restriction of two feet (600mm) 

No kerbs or railing surrounds are allowed in the lawn sections as these may cause damage to maintenance equipment or potential injury to operatives or other visitors to the cemetery. Also, maintenance to these sections cannot be completed to a high standard.   

In some cemeteries, we have installed a concrete plinth to accommodate memorials. However, if there is no plinth you will still be allowed to have the memorial installed as soon as possible. 

Maintaining memorials

It is the memorial owner’s responsibility to maintain memorials in a safe condition throughout the period of the exclusive right of burial.    Bereavement service staff will be carrying out routine inspections of all memorials.  

Memorial safety check and repair

Northumberland County Council is following guidelines from the Ministry of Justice to inspect memorials at least once every five years. 

Why are we testing memorials?

Over the past five years, there have been accidents involving members of the public in cemeteries across the country and several have been fatal. This is why councils inspect memorials at least once every five years. 

What happens if a memorial is identified as being unstable?

The exclusive right of burial (deed holder) will receive a letter and it will be their responsibility to arrange suitable repairs. Any repairs should only be carried out by an approved Northumberland County Council monumental mason. 

Who is responsible for the safety of a memorial?

It is the responsibility of the deed holder to the grave. 

What have we done to contact owners?

There have been notices posted within the cemetery grounds about the safety inspection process.

We encourage all memorial owners or visitors to the graves to update current contact details so we can keep them informed of future memorial inspections. You can contact neighbourhood services on 0345 600 6400 to update your details. 

Memorial safety testing

Our staff will carry out the safety testing survey. First, a visual inspection will identify the type of memorial and its condition. Second, using slight hand pressure, the stability of the memorial is measured to ensure it isn’t a danger to the public. We employ a risk assessment scale to record this data: 

Risk High, Medium and Low 

Risk High: Will be marked with either tape or small warning notice. Memorial Fail Letter, list of approved memorial masons, will be posted out to last known address of the deed owner (attempt to contact deed owners / family to fund repair, need to be made safe within 4 weeks).   

Risk Medium: Will be marked with either tape or small warning notice. Memorial Fail Letter, list of approved memorial masons, will be posted out to last known address of the deed owner (attempt to contact deed owners / family to fund repair, reinspect yearly to ensure signs and tape still in place, photograph and log checks.)   

Risk Low: Passed, reinspect within 5 years- Each memorial within every cemetery and churchyard under the service's jurisdiction shall be inspected in accordance with the above classifications. The inspection scheme shall be reviewed on an annual basis.   

If a memorial fails the inspection, we will write to the deed owner at the last known address we have informing them of the safety inspection results and offering advice for them. 

What to do if you are advised your memorial is unsafe?

We understand this news may be upsetting and we apologise for any distress caused.

If your memorial requires work to make it safe, you can employ a Northumberland County Council-registered monumental mason to reinstate the memorial’s foundation or carry out repair work.   

Do not attempt to repair or remove the memorial yourself.

Only approved Northumberland County Council monumental masons should carry out this kind of work. The monumental mason will ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted to the relevant bereavement services office. 

What are we doing now?

We are continuing to implement a safety inspection programme of memorials within the eight council-managed cemeteries and numerous churchyards countywide. We will do all we can to ease the upset that may be caused by this safety action. 

How can you help?

Ensure your contact details are up to date by calling neighbourhood services on 0345 600 6400. Please also use this number if you are concerned about the safety of your memorial.

For peace of mind, we recommend buying insurance cover. Please consult a registered monumental mason for company recommendations.   

Be aware cemeteries are potentially dangerous places. Visitors should keep to footpaths, avoid touching memorials and ensure children are supervised at all times.  

War memorials

Within Northumberland, we have a substantial amount of war memorials in local authority cemeteries and churchyards. These graves are owned by the War Graves Commission.   

If you require any information regarding the war memorials, please contact:   

Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Head Office
2 Marlow Road 
Maidenhead  Berkshire
SL6 7DX
Phone:  01628 634221
Fax: +44 (0) 1628 771208

Casualty enquiries   

Phone:  01628 507200 
United Kingdom Area 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Jenton Road
 Sydenham 
Leamington Spa 
Warwickshire
CV31 1XS 
United Kingdom
Phone:  01926 330137 
Fax: +44 (0) 1926 456595 

 

---