Cemetery memorial rules agreed after two years

A dispute between bereaved families and a Nottinghamshire council over tributes on graves has been resolved after nearly two years of debates.

Broxtowe Borough Council faced protests after ruling in July 2024 that additional items on plots must be removed at all five council-run cemeteries, citing maintenance and safety issues.

But the authority's cabinet has now approved new regulations allowing for existing memorial gardens of 3ft by 7ft (0.91m x 2.1m) and new ones measuring 3ft by 3.3ft (0.91m x1m).

In a statement, campaign group Friends of Broxtowe Cemeteries (FBC), said they believed the arrangements gave families "flexibility in how they are able to express their grief at the graveside".

In October 2024 notices went up on graves saying "unofficial surrounds, tributes and/or memorials" were not permitted and would be removed.

The council said these rules were already in place, but "maintenance difficulties and health and safety issues" prompted them to act.

But families protested, pointing out the regulations had been updated in 2023, leaving confusion over what was permitted, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

A petition was started and members of FBC attended council meetings and met with councillors.

This lead to the enforcement action being suspended.

Despite further disagreements, both parties negotiated a new set of memorial rules and these have been formally agreed, the LDRS said.

These also state new memorial gardens require an application detailing the design, at a cost of £75.

This fee will not apply for graves of children under the age of 18.

A number of items are however still prohibited, including glass items – except glass lanterns provided by stonemasons – plastic picket fencing, chain-link fencing, metal fencing or decorative railings, plastic flowers, windmills, balloons, furniture and flashing, strobe or novelty lights.

Speaking during the meeting, Tyler Marsh, portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said: "I think we're all happy to see this.

"We all know this is a product of a very long journey, one that hasn't always been the smoothest.

"Enough thanks can't really go to the Friends of Broxtowe Cemeteries. Lots of councils and public bodies talk often about co-production and it's very hard to achieve, but here the level of involvement has really delivered a co-produced policy that will work better than it has done in the past."

A statement on behalf of the FBC said: "Compromises have been made on all sides, but we hope the new rules give families more flexibility in how they are able to express their grief at the graveside, whilst still allowing the council to maintain the cemeteries safely.

"We are happy and relieved to have finally resolved the matter. We will continue to work with the council as the new rules and regulations are rolled out."

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