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Permits and Permissions

Here you will find useful information to help you make the best decision and helping you see the wood through the trees when choosing a company to work with. This will ensure the work is completed to the highest standard by a competent stonemason or grounds keeper depending on the service you need.

With permit costs and permission needed before any work takes place, its important you are fully informed before making any purchases.

Permits and Permissions

Most if not all cemeteries and graveyards in the UK require you to obtain a permit from the local authority or parish church for any work to be done on a grave or memorial. Permits are in place and issued to protect you and the cemetery against poor workmanship and damage to any memorials or graves. This also ensures everybody is treated fairly and with respect.

Permits Need To Be Issued For Any Masonry Work (Including):New Headstones, Repairs and Refurbishments of Headstones and Memorials, Alterations and Additional Inscriptions, Deep Cleans, Reface of Stone, .
Permit Application

Applications for permits need to be submitted before any work takes place. If this is not adhered to, fines are likely for the company completing the work and the client who instructed the work to be completed. The application is normally submitted by the company completing the works, but you can make this application directly and have your chosen company add their details. Either way the company needs to be NAMM registered for stone masonry and BRAMM registered when it comes to fitting. Most cemeteries will not issue a permit to any company that is not registered by one or both of these associations.

Granted Permits

Once a permit is granted work can start almost immediately, following the cemetery or graveyards rules and regulations. In order for the permit to be granted you will likely need to submit a design of any stone or masonry work to be completed. This is also the case for inscriptions and additional inscriptions.

The permit is normally presented to the groundskeeper or grounds manager when work starts. This permit will only be valid for the work that it issued for. If you want to complete work at a later date, this would need a new permit.

  • How do I obtain a permit application?
    Permits don't follow a national template unfortunatley. Each borough and church seems to be slightly different. Most council run cemeteries will have an application form via their website to download or you can ring the local cemeteries office for the borough in question to request one. Normally we would take care of this for you. Once we have the form and relevant information we will submit with payment if required.
  • How much does a permit cost?
    Permit costs vary massively across the UK. Some places allow you to do the work for free, but issue a permit to ensure work is of the highest standard and inline with the rule and regulations. Prices vary from £10 to £400 depending on what needs to be completed. We will advise you of the cost before submitting an application on your behalf.
  • Who do I pay for the Permit?
    Normally we will get the cemetery or church to invoice you directly for the permit fee. In some cases this is not possible, so we can include this cost on our invoice. All fee costs go directly to the authority in question and are not subject to an inflated rate or profitable for us. We always try to keep this cost seperate where possible.
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