Memorial safety inspection

About the memorial safety inspection programme

We have been carrying out a memorial safety inspection programme at our cemeteries since August 2016. 

We have developed this programme based on other memorial safety programmes carried out in many UK cemeteries. If we find a headstone or memorial that is unsafe or unstable, we stabilise the memorial using a stake and band to make it safe temporarily. Do not touch the gravestone or stake or band for your own safety.

Unfortunately, because graves and memorials can be bought decades in advance we may not have the most recent contact details. We are trying to make all residents aware of this policy through the press, social media and our residents' magazine, City Matters. 

Why are we informing owners of memorials?

While we are responsible for overall safety in our cemeteries, including risks from unstable memorials, we don't own the memorials. The owner of a memorial is the Deed Holder (grave owner of exclusive right of burial) or successor in title. This person is responsible for maintaining the memorial so that it does not become a hazard. 
However, in some cases, the current owner may not be identifiable as some records are extremely old and might not have been updated by relatives or family members. 

If you would like to update the “Deed Holder” contact details, contact the Memorial Office at Roselawn Cemetery by calling 028 9044 9398, the Bereavement Services Office by calling 028 9027 0296 or email memorialsafety@belfastcity.gov.uk.

Memorial management policy

Our memorial management policy outlines the historical problems we have faced in managing memorials and ways of dealing with unstable, hazardous and unauthorised memorials. It also contains information about the installation of and standards for new memorials so that they are safe.

Our principles are based on British Standard BS8415 and best practice issued by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management. We have also followed guidance from the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) Guide and the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) Code and Blue Book.

If you would like a copy of our memorial management policy and Belfast code of memorial safe working practice visit our office on the ground floor of Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, or call us on 028 9027 0296.

Monumental Sculptors

The monumental sculptor that you choose to carry out the work on your family headstone must have registered and be signed up to the Belfast Code of Memorial Safe Working Practice Policy. This policy promotes high standards and ensures that the monumental sculptor has the necessary skills to safely erect or re-erect a headstone and carry out any auxiliary memorial work.

For more information and to access the list, email memorialsafety@belfastcity.gov.uk.