Hexham Town Council
Council Office
St Andrews Cemetery
West Road
Hexham
NE46 3RR
Hexham Cemetery To see more photographs
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The Council owned cemetery is more correctly known as St Andrew's
Cemetery and is situated on the west road leading from Hexham towards
Haydon Bridge and Carlisle on the B6531 and is about 1 ½
miles from the centre of the town. There is a bus stop outside the
main gates on the Hexham, Haltwhistle and Carlisle route.
The Cemetery first opened for burials in 1859. Originally there
were two Chapels, one for burial services under the established
Church of England, the other for Other Religions. Nowadays only
one Chapel, the western one, is used for Burial Services and the
other Chapel is no longer used, save for storage.
The Cemetery was last enlarged around 1960 when extra land to the
west was acquired and this land is now in use. It is expected the
present land will be sufficient for about 25 more years.
Woodland
Burials
In a west facing, but hidden part of the Cemetery, the Council has
created a Woodland Burial area. It was one of the first Woodland
Burial sites in the United Kingdom and the Council is very proud
to have been in the forefront of this method of burial. There have
been a number of other woodland burial cemeteries created since
Hexham began but none, to our knowledge, is situated in such a beautiful
spot. It is next to the Spital golf course and has views across
the Tyne valley to the North Tyne valley. It is surrounded by mature
trees and because it is in a dip in the land it cannot be seen from
most of the remainder of the Cemetery. It is very peaceful and the
trees planted over the years are maturing nicely and in the spring
and summer their foliage is a haven for many birds and occasionally
red squirrels. There are always pheasants and rabbits too and then
of course the foxes, weasels and stoats follow them. Roe deer graze
the land also but you have to be up very early to see them even
though they are quite common.
In the Woodland Burial area, like in other parts of the Cemetery,
any foliage or flowers laid on graves is eaten, usually overnight,
by the wildlife. Please remember this if you are thinking of laying
a wreath or flower spray on a grave. In the Woodland area we cannot
allow any flowers to be planted on a grave nor can you delineate
the grave plot in any way. The only decoration allowed is the marker
stone. Naturally when a Woodland Burial takes place there are of
course flowers and wreaths laid on the grave plot but remember firstly
the wildlifes appetite for fresh flowers and secondly the
Cemetery rule which removes all wreaths etc for disposal 14 days
after a burial has taken place.
Every burial that takes place in the woodland area means the Council
plants another tree in the area and in a few years we shall have
a very beautiful wood. The only indication of each burial is the
small marker stone laid flat on the ground and of course the tree.
You should come along and visit, you will like it were sure.
You dont have to stay you know, looking is all you need to
do!
Families often move away from Hexham and find they can no longer
tend their loved one's grave and a woodland burial is one way you
can ensure your loved ones are buried in an area that looks as lovely
today as it will in the future. The tree we plant is usually at
the grave plot but this is not always possible, it is after all
intended to be a wood and as trees mature and are tended over at
least fifty years they need to be thinned as time passes.
The cost of a Woodland burial is inclusive in that the charge includes
the burial casket, the tree and the grave marker stone. You can
add your own engraving on the marker stone; you can use your own
burial casket so long as it is made of natural material, such as
timber or even cardboard. The burial caskets the Council provide
and which come as part of the charge are made from bamboo. There
are no plastics, resins, MDF, chipboard or similar materials allowed
in woodland burial caskets and no embalming either for any burials
in the woodland area. Unless you use the Council supplied burial
casket you must obtain permission before using another type of material
for your own burial casket. Your family can [and some have] carry
out the funeral themselves; the Council will dig and fill in the
plot and then you carry out the burial in any way you choose. We
have had one funeral hearse that was the family estate car. The
Council would have to supervise any informal burial to ensure everyone
carries it out in safety but the rest is up to you.
Tree planting takes place in the autumn and the tree is a usually
a broad leaf English variety and it may be planted anywhere in the
woodland area. You can provide your own tree if you wish but you
must have permission for the species you want to use and the Council
will then arrange the planting.
CEMETERY CHARGES.
View the current list
of charges for the various services in the Cemetery.
Remember if you do not live within the Hexham Parish boundary you
pay the Standard Charge. This is nearly always more than the charge
for a Parish resident and this is because the Council is only able
to raise its expenditure from the Council Taxpayers of Hexham. This
is the reason Hexham Council taxpayers have a separate Parish Resident
charge.
SOME RULES [BUT NOT FOR THE WOODLAND BURIAL
AREA].
Unfortunately some rules are needed but we do try to make as few
as possible. These are the main ones:
The usual size of a grave plot is 2.74m X 1.22m. The standard depth
of a grave is 1.55m. For every additional 0.3m of depth there is
an additional charge. A standard depth grave can only be used for
one burial. An extra deep grave is usually requested when it is
expected another family member is to be buried in the same plot
later. You can usually also purchase the adjoining plot but this
is not always possible, it depends upon the site requested, ground
conditions etc.
To purchase the grave plot there is an additional
charge and the purchase means the plot is yours for the next 99
years. If the plot is not purchased it may be used again in the
future without notice to you or your family and they cannot erect
any memorial/headstone. If they do purchase the plot they can then
erect a memorial/headstone but they have to pay a charge which gives
permission for the memorial/headstone to be sited there for the
next 30 years. This period is renewable ad infinitum but the Council
inspects the memorial/headstone regularly to ensure it is safe.
If it is found on an inspection not to be in a safe condition then
you must immediately make it safe or the Council will have to remove
it.
HEADSTONES/MEMORIALS
A few years ago a child was killed at a cemetery when playing and
since then many burial authorities have worried about what they
can do to prevent such a tragedy happening again. Headstones erected
in the past were often left, or became, dangerous but we can assure
you every single headstone throughout Hexham Cemetery has been checked
and if needs be has been made safe. For a number of years now the
Council has been carrying out a repair programme so all the headstones
that were once considered dangerous have been made safe. A continuing
inspection [and repair] programme of all memorials and headstones
ensures they will remain safe.
Hexham Town Council was the first Council in Northumberland to design
a specification to ensure every new memorial in Hexham Cemetery
is erected in a manner that ensures it will remain safe in the future.
All memorials now have to be designed to agree with the Councils
memorial fixing specification. There is an under surface reinforced
concrete foundation adjoining the grave plots and the memorial/headstone
s is fixed to this foundation using a specially designed and patented
shoe that ensures the memorial/headstone will not lean,
fall or move in any way. This fixing system also makes it very easy
to remove the memorial/headstone if additional inscriptions are
to be added to it in the future.
Every monumental mason permitted to carry out any work in the Cemetery
has to abide by the Councils rules and its memorial fixing
specification which ensures every new memorial complies and this
means safe and secure memorials in the future.
The Council has a fairly relaxed viewpoint about the design of memorials
and although permission has to be requested for all memorials, no
reasonable design has been refused for many years. But the size
of a headstone must not exceed 1.22m in width.
GRAVE KERBS
The kerbing once common around grave plots is no longer allowed
as the currently used section of the cemetery is a lawned area,
cut with modern mower machinery and grave kerbs give problems with
maintenance.
FLOWERS
You must remember our wildlife, they love fresh flowers and overnight
they will eat them and leave the stalks so neat you would think
they had cut the flowers off with scissors! There are some varieties
they do not like as much but to be fair, if they are hungry no flower
is safe. If you use artificial flowers please realise if and when
they become faded and discoloured they may be removed and disposed
of by our staff.
GRAVE DECORATION
No decorations are allowed on any graves. Please assist the Council
and keep the Cemetery a place for everyone to enjoy the peace and
tranquil surroundings. If you must put a sentimental item on a plot
then it must be placed on the apron of the headstone/memorial, not
on the grave itself.
SOME RULES FOR THE WOODLAND BURIAL AREA.
The charge for a Woodland burial is inclusive in that the charge
includes the burial casket, a tree planting and the grave marker
stone as well as the digging and filling of the grave. You can add
your own engraving on the marker stone; you can use your own burial
casket so long as it is made of natural material, such as timber
or even cardboard. The burial caskets the Council provide and which
come as part of the charge are made from bamboo. There are no plastics,
resins, MDF, chipboard or similar materials allowed in any woodland
burial caskets and no embalming either for any burials in the woodland
area. Unless you use the Council supplied burial casket you must
obtain permission before using any other type of material for your
own burial casket. There is no reduction in the charge for any type
of woodland burial even if the Council does not supply or provide
every item covered by the charge.
Your family can, and some have, carry out the funeral themselves;
the Council will dig and fill in the plot and then you carry out
the burial in any way you choose. The Council would have to supervise
any informal burial to ensure everyone carries it out in safety
but the rest is up to you. Most families however still employ an
undertaker and there of course many in the Hexham area and all are
familiar with our Woodland burial scheme.
Tree planting takes place in the autumn and the tree is a usually
a broad leaf English variety and it may be planted anywhere in the
woodland area. You can provide your own tree if you wish but you
must have permission for the species you want to use and the Council
will then arrange the planting. Your family can attend the tree
planting if they want to make a little ceremony of it.
A Woodland burial plot is size 3.66m by 1.22m. Only a single burial
is allowed in a woodland burial plot so if another family member
or members are to be buried nearby you must purchase the adjoining
plot[s] at the same time. One advantage of this is that there is
no additional cost in the future as the charge, which you will remember
includes the casket, marker stone and tree planting, is already
paid, whenever the adjoining plot is needed. Ashes may also be buried
at a reduced charge provided they are buried in the section that
has been set aside.
There is a reduced charge for burial of the body or ashes of a child
[under 12 years] provided it is in the area set aside for child
burials and the Council only provides a casket for ashes. Thankfully
such burials are rare which is why no child size caskets are provided
unless at least two working days notice is given that a child size
casket is needed.
No decorations are allowed on any woodland area grave. Please assist
the Council and keep the Woodland area a place for everyone to enjoy
its peace and tranquillity.
SOME GENERAL RULES
The Council acts under the Local Authorities Cemetery Order 1977
[as amended]. In any matter relating to the Cemetery, the Councils
decision is final.
The Council can prune or remove any plant shrub, grass or tree without
notice or compensation if it considers it necessary for the good
order and running of the Cemetery.
Motor cars and Dogs [which must be held on a lead] are not permitted
in the Cemetery without the prior permission of the Council.
DISABLED ACCESS
If you have difficulty in accessing any part of the Cemetery let
any member of our staff know and we will be pleased to assist. A
wheelchair, access ramps and disabled toilet facility are available
and permission to access most areas by car can be arranged, just
ask.
SUGGESTIONS
The Council is always happy to consider any suggestions for the
better management of the Cemetery so please send them to us at the
Council Offices, St Andrew's Cemetery, West Road, Hexham, NE46 3RR.
Hexham Cemetery is a place for your pleasant memories; please help
us to help you to enjoy your visits. We cannot promise to act on
every suggestion but we will look at every suggestion made very
carefully.
COMPLAINTS
If you have a complaint please tell the Council. First of all speak
with the Cemetery Superintendent but if he does not provide you
with a satisfactory response then write to the Council at the address
above. The Council has a procedure to deal with any complaint which
is set out in the Council
Standing Orders at Paragraph 36.
DIRECTIONS
Ask any member of the Cemetery staff and they will be happy to show
you the various sections in the Cemetery and to try to answer any
of your questions.
OPENING HOURS
The Cemetery is open to visitors every day between 9.00AM and 6.00PM
[or dusk if earlier]. At weekends there is no access for vehicles
though vehicular access may be possible if staff are available and
provided you contact the Cemetery Superintendent at least 48 hours
before access is required.
The Cemetery Manager is normally available for enquiries Monday
to Friday [Bank Holidays excepted] between 9.00 AM and 3.00 PM and
by telephoning 07710053732.
The Cemetery Superintendent is normally available for enquiries
Monday to Friday [Bank Holidays excepted] between 9.00 AM and 3.00
PM and by telephoning 07891101236.
RESEARCH YOUR FAMILY TREE
The Council cannot assist in this but it does have burial records
going back to 1869. Before that date you need to search Church Parish
Records. You need to contact the Church nearest to where the burial
took place. Northumberland Records Office also has many records
and papers. It also holds many of the records of Hexham Cemetery
because we pass these on to the County Record Office fairly regularly.
Please try County
Records first in your research.
If you want to personally call at our office to carry out your research
of the records we hold it attracts a charge unless you have the
exact details of name and date of death/burial. See the current
charges list. In addition you must contact the Council first
because staff need to be available to see you, remember funerals
take place and staff are not always available. A prior appointment
will prevent any disappointment. If you want to email your enquiry
then do so [email]
but please remember it may not be possible to answer every family
tree research query and we may also have to make a charge.
Unless there are special circumstances
the fees shown will not be altered until after the 1st April following.
Please check the date at the end of the page for the current issue.
You can check the fee[s]
payable for any of the headings just by telephoning the numbers
shown.