NOTICE To Families and Visitors – Memorial Safety Review

Do you own a family grave or headstone in Monk Fryston Cemetery?

As part of our ongoing programme of restoration and management of Monk Fryston Cemetery, The Joint Burial Committee (JBC) carries out full safety tests and inspections of all memorials every five years. These reviews ensure that memorials remain safe and stable for visitors and family members, and compliant with safety guidelines set by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and the Health & Safety Executive.

The first part of the safety test is a visual inspection to identify the type of memorial and its condition.

The second part is a hand test. If the memorial moves with a constant hand pressure and will continue to fall which could lead to an injury, then the memorial will be recorded as un-safe and requiring attention and repair.

The most recent test and inspection has identified a number of memorials that require attention.

What do you do if you are advised that your memorial is unsafe?

For any memorial which has been classified as unsafe, we will make every effort to write to the owners to inform them of the safety inspections findings and offer advice. We understand that this may be upsetting and hope that by discussing our findings together, we can help you to quickly and easily make the memorial safe and avoid any damage.

In most cases, it will be a straightforward job that a new base of cement or dowels or anchoring system will repair the un-safe memorial which the Committee can arrange for you with a local Registered Memorial Stonemason. You may of course choose to make your own arrangements to have the memorial repaired. Please do not attempt to repair or remove memorials yourself. Only approved Registered Memorial Stonemasons should carry out this kind of work to make sure safety standards and those of the cemetery are complied with.

As some records go back to the early 1900s and we may not have accurate contact details, we would also like to invite the families and owners of these graves to contact the Clerk to discuss the steps needed to make the memorials safe and secure.

To check if your memorial is affected, in the first instance a list of the memorials requiring attention is available on the Monk Fryston Cemetery website in the News section.

You can contact the Clerk with any questions on 07833 751847 between the hours of 9.00am until 4.00pm Monday to Friday, or email jbcclerk@monkfrystonparishcouncil.net or use the Contact page on our website www.monkfrystoncemetery.co.uk

What will happen next?

• We will put up notices within the cemetery grounds about the safety inspection process and on the Monk Fryston Cemetery website asking visitors to the cemetery to keep to footpaths and walkways, avoid touching any memorials and ensure that children are always supervised.

• Warning Signs may be placed on or near any memorial found to be unstable

• The memorial could be cordoned off with hazard warning tape and / or barrier mesh

• The memorial could be repaired by us or set into the ground

• The memorial may be laid down, if absolutely necessary.

Who is responsible for the safety of a memorial?

Responsibility in the first instance rests with the grave purchaser, or the stonemason or the person who puts the memorial up. In most instances, memorials are many years old, and the purchaser/owner has either moved away or has passed on and no family member is currently maintaining it.

If you are concerned about the safety of your memorial or any within the cemetery, please don't hesitate to contact the Clerk. The Joint Burial Committee continue to work to ensure that the cemetery is a welcoming and accessible place from which we can reflect and remember our loved ones.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.