As in most areas of enquiry there are several standard
points raised, therefore, to assist in this delicate subject we have attempted
to outline the most common occurrences of these questions. Should you
have additional enquiries/questions, please do not hesitate to contact
the Bereavement Services Office.
| Q1 |
Who Maintains the Cemeteries and
Churchyards? |
|
| A1 |
The Service is Maintained by the Outdoor Amenities
Section. |
|
| Q2 |
How many Cemeteries are there in East Ayrshire? |
|
| A2 |
There are 45 Cemeteries/Churchyards maintained
by East Ayrshire Council. |
|
| Q3 |
Is there a Crematorium in East Ayrshire? |
|
| A3 |
No East Ayrshire does not operate a Cremation
service. There are 2 Crematorium facilities in neighbouring Authorities.
- Masonhill Crematorium, Ayr (South Ayrshire Council)
- Holmsford Bridge Crematorium, Dreghorn (Private)
|
|
| Q4 |
When are the Cemeteries open to the public? |
|
| A4 |
East Ayrshire Council Cemeteries have access
for pedestrians 24 hours per day. |
|
| Q5 |
Can I pass ownership of my lair to another
person? |
|
| A5 |
Yes. Lairs can be transferred but are required to be done so
via the Council's procedures and in a manner that is legally binding.
Lairs cannot be transferred by any other means.
|
|
| Q6 |
If more than 1 person owns a lair, do all of
them have the right of burial? |
|
| A6 |
Yes, the right of burial would be granted to
each owner as they pass away or until such times as the grave is
declared full. |
|
| Q7 |
If more than 1 person has ownership of a lair,
do they all need to agree to work being carried out on a memorial
or to erect a new memorial? |
|
| A7 |
Yes, the council will only action additional
work or the erection of a new memorial once an instruction has been
received from all owners. |
|
| Q8 |
Can I get a plan of a particular cemetery or
part of cemetery where I have a lair? |
|
| A8 |
Plans may be viewed at the Bereavement Services
Office. Assistance will also be given to locate a particular lair.
A small local plan of particular lairs may be available. |
|
| Q9 |
How do I arrange a burial? |
|
| A9 |
Burials are normally arranged by contacting
a Funeral Director. However Burials can also be arranged independently
by contacting the Bereavement Services Office. |
|
| Q10 |
Is there a list of Funeral Directors? |
|
| A10 |
|
|
| Q11 |
How do I purchase a lair? |
|
| A11 |
East Ayrshire Council have a Policy of no pre-sales
of lairs. A lair is purchased at the time of arranging a burial.
|
|
| Q12 |
When a lair is purchased does the ground belong
to the Lair Owner? |
|
| A12 |
No. The owner purchases the Exclusive
Right of Burial only . |
|
| Q13 |
If a purchased lair is not used what happens
to it? |
|
| A13 |
The lair owner may wish to sell back the lair
to the Council at the purchase price. Under the terms of the Management
Rules, the Council may, after a period of 40 years, failing interment
in or transfer of, forfeit the right of burial therein. |
|
| Q14 |
Is a Headstone necessary? |
|
| A14 |
This is a personal preference and entirely
up to the family/lair owner. There is no legal requirement on this
matter. |
|
| Q15 |
How do I get a Headstone/Memorial erected? |
|
| A15 |
East Ayrshire Council operate a Memorial Masons
Registration Scheme. Only registered Masons may work within the
Cemeteries and Churchyards of the Council. Lair Owners are required
to appoint a Registered Mason to work on their behalf. A Monumental
Permit will be issued by the Council to erect/repair/renovate Memorials.
There is a charge for an application to erect a new memorial. There
will also by a charge for the re-erecting of any memorial that requires
a foundation. |
|
| Q16 |
Is there a list of Memorial Masons? |
|
| A16 |
|
|
| Q17 |
Who is responsible for the Memorial/Headstone
after it is erected? |
|
| A17 |
The lair owner is responsible for the memorial.
East Ayrshire Council are responsible for the maintenance and safety
of the Cemetery/Churchyard under the Health & Safety at Work
Act 1974. |
|
| Q18 |
Do inscriptions have to be of a set format
or can you inscribe anything that you wish? |
|
| A18 |
The Council have to approve inscriptions prior
to issuing a Permit. Please note some wording will not be allowed. |
|
| Q19 |
Is there a specific material for a Headstone
or can you use anything? |
|
| A19 |
No. Memorials must be constructed of natural
stone or tarrazzo. No wood, plastic, glass etc. is allowed. |
|
| Q20 |
Are there different types of lairs available
and if so what are they? |
|
| A20 |
| The following lair types are
available: |
|
- Full Body Burial Lairs
- Cremation Casket Lairs
- Single Baby Lair (Kilmarnock Cemetery only)
- Communal (Baby Section, Kilmarnock Cemetery only)
|
|
|
| Q21 |
Are there any surcharges relating to burials
and if so what are they? |
|
| A21 |
Yes, there is a non-resident surcharge of 100%
on all new lairs, interments and monumental permits. There is also
a surcharge for Public Holidays and outwith normal working hours. |
|
| Q22 |
Can you use a full body burial lair for cremated
remains? |
|
| A22 |
| Yes. Up to 6 cremation caskets can be interred in a full
lair. |
|
|
| Q23 |
Can you scatter ashes from a cremation over
a grave? |
|
| A23 |
No. Ashes can damage the lawn area
and may cause distress to other Cemetery users (see Q20& Q22) |
|
| Q24 |
How long do any floral tributes or wreaths
remain on a grave? |
|
| A24 |
Floral Tributes/Wreaths remain on a lair for
a period of 14 days. Christmas Wreaths will be removed from the
31st January. |
|
| Q25 |
Can you plant shrubs or flowers on a grave? |
|
| A25 |
No planting of any nature shall take place
unless in the case of Cemeteries which make specific provision for
such. |
|
| Q26 |
Can you section off an area of the grave with
a fence or kerb? |
|
| A26 |
No memorials or artifacts should be placed
in any way over any grassed area of a lair. |
|
| Q27 |
Can you have a seat or something similar donated
to the relevant cemetery? |
|
| A27 |
Yes, donated seating may be permissible in
certain areas within a Cemetery. Permission must be sought from
the Bereavement Services Officer. |
|
| Q28 |
Are there any special burial areas i.e. for
babies/children or religious grounds/beliefs? |
|
| A28 |
East Ayrshire Council are at present working
with our colleagues in South Ayrshire and North Ayrshire Councils'
to provide suitable Baby Sections within some Cemeteries. No specific
areas have been set aside for Religious Groups, however the Council
are willing to work with all Religious Groups to accommodate their
burial requirements. |
|
| Q29 |
Do you need to have a religious service at
a burial? |
|
| A29 |
No. This is a matter of choice.
We would recommend that prior Funeral arrangements are discussed
in advance. |
|
| Q30 |
Do you need to use an Undertaker for a burial? |
|
| A30 |
No (see Q9) |
|
| Q31 |
Where can I complain about any problems relating
to the Cemetery? |
|
| A31 |
Complaints can be made by contacting the Bereavement
Services Office or by completing the Council's on-line complaint
suggestion form.
(Complaints / Suggestion Form)
Bereavement Services Contact Details
Tel: 01563 554775 / 554776
Fax: 01563 554777
Email: BereavementServices@east-ayrshire.gov.uk |
|
| Q32 |
Why has the ground sunk at some lairs? |
|
| A32 |
This is due to the soil consolidating
and compacting again after the Interment etc. The Council level
lairs approximately 2 weeks and 8 weeks after the initial interment.
After this period lairs are leveled as part of the Ground Maintenance
Specification. |
|
| Q33 |
Can any pets be buried in East Ayrshire Cemeteries? |
|
| A33 |
No, unfortunately no pets are allowed to be
interred within the Cemeteries and Churchyards of East Ayrshire
Council. |
|
| Q34 |
Can I walk my dog in the Cemetery? |
|
| A34 |
No. Management Rules state that no dogs may
be permitted with the exception of Guide Dogs. |
|
| Q35 |
If I have a suggestion/query relating to the
cemetery who do I contact? |
|
| A35 |
|
|
| Q36 |
How can I find out about my family history? |
|
| A36 |
East Ayrshire Council's Library/Registrars
Section may be able to assist. You can also contact the Bereavement
Services Section, there may be a charge for this service. (Link
to Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages)
Link to libraries section to be added. |
|
| Q37 |
Do the Cemeteries have personnel in them during
the day? |
|
| A37 |
Not all of the cemeteries are manned. Should
you require assistance, please contact the Bereavement Services
Office. |
|
| Q38 |
How many Burials can take place in a burial
plot? |
|
| A38 |
In normal circumstances it would be expected
that a burial plot could accommodate 3 coffins and up to 6 cremation
caskets. However this may decrease due to ground conditions etc.
The Bereavement Services Section shall inform those arranging an
interment of any problems relating to ground conditions as soon
as they come aware. |
|
| Q39 |
Can my family choose a specific lair within
a Cemetery at the time of interment? |
|
| A39 |
Yes but this will be at the total
discretion of East Ayrshire Council. |
|
| Q40 |
Can you drive in to the Cemeteries? |
|
| A40 |
Cars are restricted to Disabled Drivers only.
There are small car parks at most Cemeteries and the public are
requested to use these when visiting our Cemeteries. |
|
| Q41 |
Why are the Council carrying out safety inspections
within its Cemeteries/Churchyards? |
|
| A41 |
East Ayrshire Council are required by Law to
ensure that the Cemeteries/Churchyards are safe places to visit
and work. |
|
| Q42 |
What happens to a dangerous memorial? |
|
| A42 |
Memorials are inspected by trained staff. Should
a memorial be a Category 1 danger then it is required to be made
safe immediately under law. East Ayrshire Council has agreed to
stake and tie memorials as a temporary measure, they also sheugh
(ditch in) memorials. These procedures are accepted by the Health
& Safety Executive and are in-line with Memorial Management
Guidelines. Lair owners are reminded that responsibility for maintaining
memorials lies with them. |
|
| Q43 |
What happens to a memorial if there is no family
or lair owners cannot afford to carry out repairs? |
|
| A43 |
Staking and banding is a temporary measure.
East Ayrshire Council shall continue to inspect memorials and shall
sheugh (ditch in), lay flat memorials which have not had any repair/remedial
work carried out. |
|
| Q44 |
Are memorials removed from the Cemetery? |
|
| A44 |
At this time the Council do not remove memorials
from the Cemetery. |
|
| Q45 |
Why am I not contacted before the safety work
to my memorial is carried out? |
|
| A45 |
A Category 1 memorial requires to be made safe
immediately. Once this has been done the Council endeavor to contact
the last known registered lair owner, this may not always be possible
as many lairs have not been transferred or owners have moved away
from the original address given, without informing the Council.
|
|
| Q46 |
What is meant by Category 1, 2 & 3? |
|
| A46 |
Category 1 memorial is dangerous and requires
to be made safe immediately
Category 2 memorial requires to be re-inspected within 6 months
to one year period
Category 3 memorial requires to be re-inspected in 5 years |
|
| Q47 |
Are records of inspections available to the
public? |
|
| A47 |
Yes. East Ayrshire Council's Cemeteries Safety
Squad record all details both manually and electronically. A copy
of these reports can be obtained by contacting the Burial Administration
Office. There may be a charge for this service. |
|
| Q48 |
Are you allowed more than one memorial/vase
on a grave? |
|
| A48 |
Only one memorial/headstone will
be permitted at the head of grave, you may also place one flower
vase per lair in the space provided at the head of each lair i.e.
the crown head or on the base of the memorial. The Council do not
accept any responsibility for loss or damage to such vase. Glass
or pottery containers are not allowed. |
|
| Q49 |
Where is the office dealing with burials located in East
Ayrshire? |
|
| A49 |
The Bereavement Services Office is located at Western
Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 1LL. |
Back |
| Q50 |
How can I find the details of a lair? |
|
| A50 |
Bereavement Services staff will be happy to assist with
lair searches. Please note that there may be a charge for this service.
|
Back |
