Burials and Cremations
Headstones
The erection of memorials on a lair shall only be permitted where a Right of Burial has been granted and paid for in full.
A lair holder is entitled to have a memorial erected, provided it complies with current specifications as determined by us and it will not intrude in any way over part of the lair for future burials.
You need to contact a registered and accredited stonemason to arrange a memorial. There is a fee for the foundation and excavation for a headstone. You must have our permission prior to installing a headstone.
Any inscription on a memorial must be approved by us and must conform to our administrative requirements applicable at that time.
All work in connection with the erection of any memorial shall be undertaken by a stonemason who is accredited under the approved schemes managed by NAMM, BRAMM or other equivalent schemes, and carried out to our satisfaction. Memorials are erected at the owner's risk, and we will not be responsible for any loss or damage howsoever caused.
No kerbs, stones, footstones, railings, fences or any other structures (other than authorised memorials) are permitted.
The base of the memorial may contain a flower vase holder. Additional forms of memorials, vases, and ornaments will only be permitted within 45cm of the base of the headstone. When temporary memorials, vases and other ornamentation are placed in this space, it will be the responsibility of the lair holder to maintain the grass within this boundary. Any items outwith this area will be removed by us without prior notice and stored for 28 days before disposal.
The lair holder shall keep any memorial clean and in a safe condition of repair, of which an authorised officer shall be the sole judge.
Where a lair holder is deceased, their legal successors assume liability in regard to the above point.
Burial Ground Management Rules
Memorial safety
A programme of memorial safety inspections is being carried out by suitably trained staff across all 247 of our burial grounds following Scottish Government Guidance.
If a memorial is found to have a potential issue, a caution sign will be erected next to the memorial, and staff may carry out a temporary repair, usually bracing the memorial using wooden stakes. If the memorial is deemed to be of an immediate risk, we will take appropriate action to make it safe.
The responsibility for the full and complete repair of an unsafe memorial remains the duty of the lair holder or their family.
For any repairs, contact a memorial stonemason or a Funeral Director to discuss.
The safety of visitors, staff and contractors in our burial grounds is a statutory obligation.
Should you require any further information, contact the bereavement services team at memorial.safety@highland.gov.uk