Cemeteries and Burials
The Council owns and manages two Cemeteries within the District,
one at Hall Road, Rochford and one on the Hockley Road,
Rayleigh. The Cemetery at Rayleigh has no further grave or
cremation plots available for purchase, which with the exception of
children's graves has reached its capacity.
The Cemetery at Hall Road, Rochford now serves the whole of the
District for the purchase of new graves and cremation plots.
Although these cemeteries were provided to cater principally for
residents of the District they are also available for use by
non-residents of the District. A two tier fee structure
reflects this arrangement.
Hours of Opening
Both Cemeteries are open to the public every day throughout the
year and for vehicular access:
Winter, 1 November - 31 March: 7.30am - 4.30pm
Summer, 1 April - 31 October: 7.30am -
7.30pm
Exclusive Right of Burial
Persons may purchase the exclusive right of burial at any
time. The period of exclusive use is 100 years. Graves
may be purchased for up to three persons. Cremation plots
hold up to four caskets of ashes.
A living owner is required to give permission for a burial to
take place or a memorial to be erected/altered. In order for the
burial or memorial request to go ahead, the Exclusive Right of
Burial needs to be transferred to the person(s) entitled to the
rights.
Interments
All initial enquiries regarding burial should be made through
the Funeral Director of your choice, who will then contact the
Council's Customer Services to make the necessary arrangements
on your behalf. Enquiries regarding cremated remains may be
made direct through the Customer Services Department.
Arrangements with an Officiating Minister are made by the relative
or the undertaker.
Cremated remains must be in a biodegradable container. No
plastics of any kind are acceptable.
Memorials
The Hall Road Cemetery is a Lawn cemetery and as such only a
headstone on a base will be permitted and must comply with
specified dimensions. For Cremation Plots a memorial
vase/inscription panel is allowed again to a specified size. All
local memorial firms are aware of the regulation sizes for this
cemetery.
No kerb surrounds are allowed around either a grave or a
cremation plot. No planting of trees, shrubs or flowers or the
placing of plant containers or ornaments are permitted on the
grassed area which must be kept clear in the interest of the
appearance of the Cemetery and to facilitate its maintenance.
Rayleigh Cemetery
Rayleigh Cemetery dates back to the late eighteen hundreds and
has many varying styles of memorials. Headstones with full kerb
surrounds and stone chippings are allowed on cremation plots.
In both the above cemeteries permanent memorials may be erected
with the Council's prior approval on graves approximately 6-9
months after interment. The Council will allow the bereaved to
place temporarily a small wooden cross whilst arrangements are made
to place a permanent memorial. Please note all temporary crosses
are for one year only and will be removed at the end of that time
or if the permanent memorial is installed prior to that date.
Memorials may be erected at any time in the cremated plot
sections. All memorials must be kept in good order. The
Council reserve the right to remove, any memorial, which is not
maintained in an adequate or safe condition.
Maintenance
All grass cutting within the Cemeteries, are undertaken by the
Council's contractors. To assist visitors tending graves the
Council provides at both Cemeteries a supply of water, watering
cans and litter facilities. We ask relatives and friends to
be aware that turfing of graves is dependent on the season and
weather conditions and will not take place until some time after
the burial to ensure the work is of the required quality.
Fees
These can be found in related documents
below. If you need more information please
contact the Cemeteries office on: 01702 318134 or email:
cemeteries@rochford.gov.uk