Memorials at Warren Hill

Safety testing memorials

Memorials are the property of the owner of the grave rights. However, we are responsible for the health and safety for all who visit or work within the cemeteries and are committed to providing a safe environment. 

Headstones

All new memorials placed since 2008 are fixed with a ground anchor system that has been approved by the National Association of Memorial Masons. Before 2008, there was no statutory method of fixing required.

Testing memorials

The safety testing is to assess whether memorials can withstand a reasonable pressure, for instance if someone should slip and use the memorial to try and stabilise themselves.

Survey 

A survey involves visually inspecting the memorial for signs of instability or damage and applying a simple hand test. The purpose of the hand test is to ascertain whether there is any movement in a memorial which otherwise seems to be secure, not whether the memorial, or its fixings, can withstand any particular level of pressure.

Where movement is detected, sufficient pressure may, with care, be applied to ascertain whether the memorial locks on any ground anchor. If a memorial is found to be unstable and there is a likelihood that it may become unsafe we will write to the grave deed holder or successor in title at the address on our files to advise them of what to do next.

The laying down of headstones will only be used if the memorial is found to be unstable and presents a significant risk of injury to visitors or staff working in the cemeteries. 

Last updated 14 April 2023