Neighbourhood Services

East Ayrshire Council's Bereavement Services Section operate a Cemetery Safety Squad. This squad is responsible for inspecting memorials, recording details and making safe where necessary in compliance with current legislation and guidance from the Institue of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM). They are also required to install foundations in accordance with the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) Code of Practice and East Ayrshire Council's Memorial Masons Registration Scheme.

Staff have been trained to National standards in Cemetery Maintenance and Memorial Inspeciton procedures.

Below are details of the Council's Cemeteries Safety Squad who can be contacted via the Bereavement Services Office.

Louis Gaidon	Brian Jones	Robert Watters
Operative	Foreman	Operative

The "A" Frame in use.		Topple Test Equipment
Topple Test Equipment		Finger / Hand test

Public Information Leaflet Memorial Safety.

The Council are currently under going safety maintenance to headstones throughout East Ayrshire.

Local Authorities throughout the country have been forced to take active measures on managing memorials in their cemeteries. New legislation from the Government enforced by HSE (Health & Safety Executive) means that all new memorials being installed must comply with a rigid specification.

As you would expect, a number of old memorials have become unstable over the years. Foundations have deteriorated; joints have not been doweled (bolted) and have become loose. In some cases where dowels have been used, they have become rusted and unsafe.

Also unexpectedly, inspections found that a large number of recently installed memorials were in a dangerous condition, (as many as one in 3 headstones). Memorials had not been doweled from the plate to the base and/or from the base to the foundation. Inspections showed that in most cases a thin layer of cement was the only fixing and that these joints had become weathered/loose, which therefore put the stone in a dangerous condition. The Council has produced a Registration Scheme, which aims to protect the public and allow them to have confidence that their memorial/ headstones are erected in a safe manner in the future.

Further guidelines from the HSE indicate that Councils' must inspect all memorials (which they are responsible for) in less than 12 months. This means that the Council will have to take immediate action.

If your headstone was installed prior to January 2003 there is a possibility it may be unsafe and the Council may be required to take the following action, lie the stone flat, stake and band or sheugh (ditched into the soil) so that the Council comply with the relevant Health & Safety Law.

If you have any concerns about your headstone or would wish to discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the cemetery staff or telephone the Burial Administration Office at the number below.

East Ayrshire Council takes the safety of the public and employees seriously; it is with this in mind that we have introduced the above measures. Whilst we understand that it may be upsetting to lair owners and bereaved families, it is also essential that we ensure that cemeteries can be safe environments for all.

The Council’s Burial Administration staff and Outdoor Amenities staff will be able to assist members of the public when they are making decisions on purchasing a memorial or have concerns with regard to its safety. Staff will also be able to address any specific questions relating to the safety inspection programme.

Professional Bodies Institute of Cemetery & Cremation Management
Tel: 020 8989 4661
Fax: 020 8989 6112
Email:Julie@iccm.fsnet.co.uk
www.iccm-uk.com

National Association of Memorial Masons
Tel: 01788 542264
Fax: 01788 542276
Email: enquiries@namm.org.uk
www.namm.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who owns the lair?
A. The Council continue to own the lair. "The lair holder/s own the Exclusive Right of Burial only"

Q. Who owns the memorial/headstone?
A. A memorial/headstone is owned by the Lair holder. The Council do not own any headstones or memorials on a private lair.

Q. What does an inspection involve?
A. Trained employees carry out a visual, manual and if appropriate a mechanical test using a topple tester. This machine measures a push on the stone at shoulder height to a 35kg force. All findings are recorded and stored, photographs are taken where necessary.

Q. Can I be held responsible for my headstone?
A. Yes. Lair holders can be held responsible both legally and for the cost of any remedial work to make the stones safe.

Q. Can I inspect my own memorial?
A. No, many memorials are extremely dangerous. Members of the public are therefore asked not to carry out any work that may endanger them.

Q. Can I repair my own memorial?
A. No. Prior to any work being instructed a permit must be applied for, this can be obtained from the Council’s Bereavement Services office. There may be a charge for a permit. The Council would insist that a registered Memorial Mason carry out any improvement repair work.

Q. Will the Council re-erect my memorial for me?
A. No. The Council are however looking at training staff in erecting memorials and may consider this service in the future.

Q. Why are the Council carrying out this work?
A. Due to a number of deaths (Harrogate and Oldham) and injuries including young children, safety in cemeteries is now a major issue to Local Authorities. The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Occupier’s Liability Act 1960, requires that as owners of the cemetery, the Council take all steps that are reasonably practicable to make the premises safe for visitors, users and employees.

Q. Do Masons have to be registered to work in East Ayrshire Council's cemeteries?
A. Yes. The Council hold a list of all Registered Masons. This list is available from the Council’s Bereavement Services office.

Q. What happens if a Memorial is unsafe and the Lair Owner cannot be traced?
A. The Council will assume responsibility to make the Memorial Safe, as detailed.

Q. Can ownership be transferred to another family member if the original lair owner cannot be traced?
A. In exceptional circumstances and on production of legal confirmation, the Council may allow such transfers.