Cemeteries - general information

Services

• You may arrange a funeral directly with the council but certain regulations regarding documents must be adhered to
• You may have a service at the graveside but you must inform the cemetery officer when the booking is made so that extra time is allowed
• We can accommodate funerals for diverse ethnic groups and all faiths. All interments are carried out to the family's wishes, respecting all religions, faiths and creeds
• There does not need to be a minister of religion present. The cemetery officer can conduct the interment of cremated remains if the family so wish, at no extra charge

Floral tributes

• After 14 days the cemetery staff remove floral tributes from the grave and dispose of them unless a specific request has been made to the cemetery officer for the tributes to be removed by the family. Please be aware that the cemeteries provide a habitat for wild rabbits that may eat the heads off flowers left on graves
• We do not permit the placing or planting of materials in the gravel or lawned cemetery areas

Plots

• Due to a shortage of space it is no longer possible to reserve a grave plot at any of our cemeteries
• It is possible for cremated remains to be interred within a full grave plot provided that the original owner of the burial certificate (deed) has given their permission in writing
• The cemetery staff will ensure that the level of the grave does not fall below the level of the surrounding area during the six months following interment
• Regarding the re-use of a family grave, you are advised to contact the cemetery officer in the first instance for full details of this service
• Due to lack of space we are unable to accomodate American caskets at either Mangotsfield or Filton cemeteries

Memorials

• For health and safety reasons the height restriction for a headstone is 1 metre (3 feet 2 inches) in overall height. When you choose your headstone the monumental mason will submit an application to the cemetery officer for approval
• The council and local stone masons advise that masonry should not be placed on graves until at least six to eight months after interment. This allows for settlement. On receiving your instruction, the stone mason will contact the cemetery officer to obtain a permit to erect stone masonry on the grave site
• If you would like a dedicated bench in the cemetery you will be asked to purchase a robust wooden bench which the council workforce will install on concrete slabs

Burial records

• We are able to search burial records to help you to trace the grave of a family member or to help you research your family tree

Pets

• Dogs are not allowed in any of the cemeteries with the exception of guide dogs
• Due to environmental rules and regulations it is not possible to inter a pet in a family grave

Toilet facilities

• The toilets located in each cemetery are usually only open for the duration of services