Monument Meadow Natural Burial Ground Terms and Conditions

The following terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) govern all use of Monument Meadow Natural Burial Ground (“the Site”).

General Care and Standards of Behaviour

Monument Meadow Natural Burial Ground is a private space. Entry is only permitted to those attending a funeral or paying their respects to the deceased who are buried here.

It is open for these limited purposes during daylight hours only. When a funeral is taking place, people visiting graves must respect the grieving family's need for privacy and a peaceful, quiet space.

All visitors shall behave in a law-abiding manner that is appropriate to the special nature of the Site.

Only loose cut flowers (without any plastic or other floral wrapping or packaging) may be brought onto the Site to place on graves. Flowers may not be tied to any fixtures, including trees or guards. Nor may any decorative items be hung from trees.

Vases must not be brought onto the Site, or used in any way on the Site.

Only plants sourced and supplied by Monument Meadow may be planted on the Site, including all seeds, shrubs, trees and flowers. No seed or seeds may be scattered or planted on the Site unless approved by Monument Meadow.** This is to ensure that all seeds and plants are of the correct provenance and are not inappropriate species or derived from foreign nurseries that could introduce disease to the area.

All non-native species found on the Site will be removed.

Picking any plants on the Site is prohibited, including any flowers or shrubs, as we need to ensure the regeneration of the natural landscape.

Unauthorised planting of any kind on the Site - including bulbs, flowers and shrubs - is prohibited. Please do not bring any potted plants to the Site, as the soil may not be suitable.

Construction of flowerbeds is not permitted at the Site.

No soil, peat, manure or compost (or similar) may be brought onto the Site.

No naturally germinated seedlings - apart from bramble, thistle, nettle and ragwort - may be removed from the Site.

Visitors should take appropriate measures to prevent injury or poisoning from plants.

The Site has been planted to encourage a natural landscape. Therefore the erection of any monuments, markers, crosses, kerbs, fences or railings (or anything similar) is not permitted.

The introduction of bird-boxes or seating is only permitted with the strictest guidance of management.

Visitors must turn their mobile phones onto ‘silent’ whilst visiting the Site.

No amplified music may be played on the Site, except during funeral services.

Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times while on the Site, and shall remain the sole responsibility of that adult at all times.

Dogs are only permitted on the Site if kept under strict control and on a lead. This is especially important as we are encouraging rare ground nesting birds to breed on the Site. Owners must pick up all dog foul and remove it from the Site.

Visitors must keep to the paths, as some bird species are very sensitive to disturbance.

Litter bins are not provided on the Site as we request visitors to take their litter home. This includes any plastic wrapping, ribbons, or fixings to floral tributes.

No grazing animals are allowed on the Site unless introduced by the Barnston Estate.

The Site is designed for funerals and quiet, private, respectful contemplation of the deceased laid to rest there. No other activities are permitted on the Site; including, but not limited to, bike riding, skateboarding, picnics or other social gatherings, lighting fires and creating bike ramps.

Food and drink are not permitted on the Site, except as part of a funeral.

Smoking is not permitted on the Site.

The Site is open during daylight hours only. No visitors to attend after dark.

The Site is not a manicured park and the ground surface may be uneven; therefore please ensure that everyone wears sensible footwear. Wellington boots at funerals are perfectly acceptable.

It is essentially an outdoor space (with some limited shelter provided by an oak barn) so please wear appropriate clothing.

Please keep to the paths mown into the meadow.

Unfortunately, any unsuitable offerings will be removed.

Maintenance

Management reserves the right to carry out any maintenance and remedial works on plants on the Site from time to time at its sole discretion.

Burials, Graves & Plaques

Bodies must be not be embalmed. Funeral directors have refrigeration facilities and so embalming is not necessary or required by law.

All coffins, coffin linings, shrouds and urns for ashes must be sustainably produced from natural, biodegradable materials.

The body of the deceased must be clothed in natural fibres and wrapped in a biodegradable shroud or coffin.

No grave goods may be buried alongside the deceased that are not biodegradable or which could release toxins into the soil eg batteries.

No remains shall be removed from any grave on the Site, once interred, without a licence from the Secretary of State under Section 25 of the Burial Act 1857.

Memorial plaques flush to the ground are offered to commemorate the deceased. We do not offer the planting of memorial trees; instead the natural landscape is managed as a whole, to ensure a place of tranquil beauty.

Pre-Purchase

The purchase of a burial plot is for the right of burial in the plot only, and does not confer ownership of the ground or any other rights.

If you purchase a plot in advance you will be given a Right of Burial and Authority Certificate.

We offer a 28-day 'cooling off' period from the pre-payment date, during which time you may cancel your order for a refund.

If you move far away from Farndon or emigrate, and therefore no longer wish to be buried with us, you may apply to have the original pre-purchase price refunded (minus an administration charge of £100).

Pre-purchase applicants are purchasing a ‘Right of Burial’ at Monument Meadow. Should your plot remain unoccupied for 10 years from the date of purchase, we require that you contact us and re-sign - at no extra cost - to confirm that you still wish to reserve a burial plot at Monument Meadow.

Rights of Burial at the Site or rights to scatter ashes may NOT be sold on the open market or transferred in any way to a new owner.

Pre-purchase applicants must notify Monument Meadow of any change to their personal contact details (address, phone number, email etc) after the time of pre-purchase.

Limitation of Liability

Barnston Estate accepts no liability whatsoever for any injury or damage to person or property occurring on or nearby the Site. All visitors enter at their own risk.

Amending the Terms & Conditions

We reserve the right to amend, add to, remove or change the content of these Terms & Conditions over time as circumstances dictate or as we see fit in the interests of safety, welfare, the environment and good business practice.