Churchyard Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Who Can Be Buried in the Churchyard?

You may be eligible for burial or interment of ashes in our churchyard if:

• You live in the parish of Nettleham at the time of death.

• You are on the Church Electoral Roll of All Saints Church.

Other cases may be considered by the church’s Parochial Church Council (PCC).
 
Cremated Remains

• Ashes must be buried in a biodegradable container; scattering is not permitted.

• Interments are made in designated areas, following the churchyard plan.

Memorials and Headstones

To preserve the appearance of our historic churchyard, there are rules about the types of headstones and memorials allowed. These are shown in the Diocese of Lincoln Churchyard Regulations. Permission must be sought and obtained before a memorial can be placed.

Burial and Memorial Fees

There are fees for burials and for placing a memorial. These are set nationally and updated annually. You can find current fees on the Church of England website. 

Please note: This does not buy the burial plot itself, but rather enables the right to be buried or to place a memorial, under churchyard regulations.

Special Requests

If you wish to:

• Reserve a grave space, or

• Apply for a headstone that falls outside the regulations

...this is possible through a legal process called a Faculty. This can be complex and may involve extra costs. The parish priest or a churchwarden can guide you through it.

Caring for Graves

We all have a part to play in keeping the churchyard beautiful and well maintained.
Families are encouraged to help care for the area around their loved ones’ graves. The PCC regularly maintains the wider churchyard.
 
Please observe the following:

• No artificial flowers, except for poppies (Remembrance), Christmas wreaths, or good-quality silk flowers (which must be removed within three months).

• No statues, photographs, kerbs, or chippings (except those placed before 2008).