Memorial Stability and Safety Testing Programme

Burial authorities have a general duty under LACO (Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977) to maintain a burial ground in good order. Most burial ground operators will also have duties under HSWA74 (Health & Safety at Work Act 1974). Guidelines set down by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) require all Burial Authorities to inspect every headstone in their cemeteries at least every 5 years. The inspection should be fully documented identifying all dangerous or unstable memorials.

On behalf of Colchester City Council, the Bereavement Services team has a duty of care in relation to the Cemetery on Mersea Road ensuring that it is a safe place for all visitors and staff. We have carried out a memorial stability and safety testing programme using a competent inspector whilst following guidance from the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management (ICCM), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM).

Just under 10,000 memorials were tested between April and June 2024.

A yellow warning tag was attached to each memorial that failed the memorial stability hand test, an accompanying photo and video of each failure was taken. The aforementioned ICCM’s ‘Management of Memorials’ document mentions that memorials should be able to withstand a force of 70kg.

Having carried out numerous checks of our computer records and physical checks of our Burial Register and Grave Register. Letters to our last known recorded grave owners were posted between August and December 2024. The letter stated a 6 month period for works to be carried out on the memorial to make it safe.

We will be carrying out a re-test of the failed memorials during this Summer to ascertain how many have been subsequently made safe.

For further information, copies of photographic or video evidence or any other enquiries in relation to memorial stability testing please contact the Cemetery Office.