Facilities

GENERAL INFORMATION
1. The following regulations have been designed and formulated for the control and use of Great Glen Crematorium.

2. All correspondence should be addressed to:
Great Glen Crematorium
London Road
Great Glen
LE8 9DJ

Tel: 0116 259 1101
Email: GreatGlen@westerleighgroup.co.ukk

3. Crematorium Opening Times:

Office	Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Gardens	April to September 9.00am – 6.00pm October to March 9.00am – 5.00pm Weekends & Bank Holidays 10.00am - 4.30pm

4. Children. Those below 15 years of age, will not be permitted to enter the memorial gardens unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

5. Dogs shall not be permitted in the grounds.

6. Vehicles. Cars are allowed in the crematorium grounds but drivers shall not exceed the speed limit of 5 mph. Cars must only be driven on the main carriageways. On no account may cars be driven on footpaths, grass areas or planted areas. All vehicles must be parked neatly to allow access to other vehicles.

7. The crematorium company shall not be held responsible for the safe keeping of any wreaths, flowers, plants or any other objects placed in the crematorium grounds nor any damage caused to memorials and monuments by high winds or storms, or other factors outside their control. An incident book is kept at the office for recording thefts of any type and the police will be informed of more serious crimes and if a high incidence of thefts occurs.

8. All persons shall conduct themselves in a decent, quiet and orderly manner. The General Manager is empowered to take such action as he/she may consider appropriate against any person who may:
- Commit any nuisance in the crematorium.
- Wilfully create any disturbance in the crematorium.
- Wilfully interfere with any burial taking place
- Wilfully interfere with any grave or memorial or any plants, flowers or other such objects in the crematorium grounds.
- Play at any game or sport in the crematorium grounds.

9. Visitors to the crematorium shall not unreasonably interrupt any employee at their duties or employ them to execute private works within the crematorium or extend to them any gratuity. All enquiries, complaints and requests by members of the public must be made to the crematorium office and not to workmen in the crematorium grounds.

10. No person not being an officer or servant of the Crematorium or another person so authorised by or on behalf of the Crematorium Company shall enter or remain in the crematorium grounds at an hour when it is closed to the public.

11. The taking of commercial photographs and filming is not permitted in the crematorium grounds except with the prior approval and permission of the manager in writing and upon payment of the appropriate fee. Photographs of individual memorials by approval with the owner are allowed.

12. No person shall operate any sound equipment or play any musical instrument in the crematorium grounds without the prior consent of the manager. This should not discourage people from singing at the graveside or playing a favourite song quietly with the acknowledgement of the manager.

13. The Crematorium Company reserves the right to close the crematorium grounds on any day should it be considered that circumstances so warrant.

14. The sale of goods, services, plants or other articles, the soliciting of orders or repair of memorials or for work connected with graves is strictly prohibited within the grounds of the crematorium. All such services and requests should be met by the crematorium office.

15. No employee of the Crematorium Company are allowed to undertake privately, any work or favour of any kind nor receive any gratuity for the said work of favour.

16. The placing of stone paving slabs, timber, etc around and leading to a memorial plot is strictly prohibited and shall be removed without prior notice on the grounds of health and safety and to satisfy the insurance underwriter of the company.

17. Any plants, vases or any other item placed outside the memorial plot shall be removed without prior notice.

18. The planting and maintenance of the grave is the responsibility of the plot owner and the company does not undertake any work unless a separate agreement has been made with the crematorium company and the appropriate fee paid.

19. All persons entering into the crematorium grounds shall conform to all respects with the crematorium regulations and shall be subject to the orders of the manager and staff who have full power to exclude from the crematorium grounds any member of the public whom may be deemed fit to exclude. Should it be necessary to use physical force to remove a subject the Police shall be summoned.

20. These rules and regulations shall be final.

21. The crematorium company reserves the right to make any alterations and additions to the rules and regulations of the crematorium at any time it feels fit.

22. Rubbish must be placed in the receptacles provided for this purpose. No household rubbish must be left in the crematorium or dumped.

23. The crematorium fees are displayed in the crematorium office and are revised from January 1st. Services after this date will be charged the revised rate.
 

Exhumations

1. No human remains will be removed from any grave after committal without the proper authority from the Home Office and/or the Ecclesiastical Court.

2. In the first instance a request for exhumation should be made to the manager of the Crematorium before any application for licence or faculty is made.

3. The Exhumation will be carried out in strict accordance with statutory provisions and any conditions imposed by the Secretary of State for the Home Office or the Ecclesiastical Court and any restrictions added by the Local Area Health Officer. Nothing in these regulations should be construed as authorising the disturbance of Human Remains without the appropriate authority. Human Remains within these regulations is deemed to include cremated remains.

 

Cremated Remains

1. The interment of cremated remains will only be permitted (and recorded in the cremation registers) when carried out in the presence of the manager or their authorised staff and only after the necessary documentation has been completed. The scattering of cremated remains is only allowed in the nominated woodland area, or memorial lawn by prior agreement, within the grounds and the above procedure needs to be adhered to also.

2. The certificate for Disposal of Cremated Remains issued by the Crematorium where the cremation took place must be delivered to the office before the interment can take place. Failure to deliver such Certificate will result in postponement of the interment until such time as the certificate can be produced.

 

REGULATIONS CONCERNING CREMATIONS

1. A cremation can only legally take place when the Crematorium has the Registrars Certificate for Disposal or a Coroners Order for Cremation, Forms 1, 4 and 5 and the Medical Referee has signed Form 10 to allow the cremation to take place. Without these forms in no circumstances will a cremation be carried out. (Cremation Regulations 1930 Regulations)

2. The above forms must be received by the Crematorium Office at least 48 hours prior to the service taking place. Failure to provide these forms will cause the cremation to be postponed until such time that these can be produced.

3. The forms will be submitted on those provided by the crematorium and the appropriate fee paid before the cremation takes place, unless an account arrangement has been made with the General Manager.

4. Any form of religious service may be used but any other ceremony is subject to the approval of the General Manager. Alternatively, the ashes may be committed without a service.

5. The General Manager is authorised to refuse entry into the crematorium chapel any coffin, which in their opinion may be a hazard to public health. (Public Health Control of Disease Act 1984).

6. The maximum dimensions of a coffin to be loaded into the cremator is 38” wide (including handles) by 28” deep and 88” long.

7. The number of mourners permitted to enter the crematory for a witnessed cremation is six persons. This can only take place with the prior consent of the Superintendent and at his or her discretion.

8. The Funeral Director, or persons effecting the funeral service must provide sufficient staff to convey the coffin into the chapel, unless prior warning has been given to the office and the appropriate fee paid.

9. Every body that is brought to the crematorium must be contained in a suitable coffin or shroud. No coffin or shroud should be accepted unless it bears adequate particulars of the identity of the deceased therein.

10. The Crematorium will not be held responsible for any error or consequences which may arise by reason of any inaccuracy in or late receipt of paperwork and will accept orders and instructions by telephone only at the risk of the sender.

11. The crematorium will store the resulting cremated remains for a minimum period of 2 months before they are scattered in the remembrance garden, unless instructions to the contrary are given at the time of applying for the cremation.

12. If no instructions are given regarding the use of floral tributes, they will remain in the floral tribute area at the side of the chapel for 3 days, including the day of the funeral. After this period the flowers will then be disposed of.

13. Any music requirements must be communicated to the crematorium office at least 24 hours before the service is due to take place. If pre-recorded music is to be played, each piece of music must be clearly marked and in the case of CDs, each piece of music on a different CD. The crematorium accepts no responsibility for poor quality recordings or damage to worn out CDs or mistakes due to the inadequate labelling of pieces of music.

14. The cremation of body parts is permitted on the completion of the appropriate forms and the payment of the appropriate fee.

15. The cremation of a non-viable foetus is permitted with the production of the Medical Practioner’s or Midwife’s certificate of delivery.

 

REGULATIONS RELATING TO MEMORIALS

1. All memorials must be supplied and fixed by the Crematorium Company. No external stone masons will be permitted to carry out work in the crematorium grounds.

2. No memorial may be fixed in the crematorium grounds without the approval of the Manager. Unauthorised memorials will be removed out of the memorial gardens at the grave owner’s expense. All suitable styles and materials will be provided for your choice.

3. Inscriptions can contain relaxed expressions such as “Mum” and “Dad”, nicknames etc. The only regulation to this policy is that no inscription should contain words or sentiments which may be offensive to another visitor in the opinion of the General Manager.

4. All memorials erected are maintained at the expense of the owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial of that particular grave. Where memorials split, crack or become dangerous, the grave owner shall be required to have that memorial repaired, re-fixed or relevelled so that it shall be safe at all times.

5. The Crematorium reserves the right without notice to:
a) Remove or make safe any memorial which in their opinion is a danger or could become a danger to any person in the crematorium grounds.
b) To remove temporarily any memorial or part of the memorial if such a course of action appears to the General Manager to be desirable.
c) To recover all reasonable costs in making any memorial safe from the grantee or their representative.

7. Every memorial design or idea for commemoration will be considered by the company and that choice will be provided if it is reasonable for the company to do so. This will not include though materials which cause particular environmental harm such as the use of teak and other rainforest timbers for garden benches.

 

Date of Operation:

These regulations shall come into force on 1 January 2017.

 

 

Great Glen Crematorium are proud to offer a natural burial ground set within beautiful meadow, providing a calm and tranquil setting.

Natural burial grounds are similar to traditional cemeteries, with one main difference, they are managed and maintained to keep the area as natural as possible. Ecological principles and biodiversity help create beautiful areas full of nature to offer a peaceful environment to reflect and remember our loved ones.  

Our Guiding Principles and operational Rules and Regulations are essential to maintaining the integrity of our natural burial ground and to ensure nature can thrive. By choosing a natural burial you will be contributing to the establishment, expansion and preservation of local ecosystems capable of sustaining a rich variety of natural biodiversity. Our grounds will also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint and the impact on the environment often associated with traditional funeral practices.

 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
 

BIODIVERSITY

Sustainable methods are used in maintaining the natural burial ground and the surroundings are kept as natural as possible to encourage biodiversity. Other than paths necessary for access, the environment will be left to nature throughout the year. Some areas will appear overgrown with plants, flowers and grasses as nature intends. This allows nature to thrive and promotes biodiversity. Whilst some plants may be considered weeds, they are equally important and are beneficial to nature and the environment.

The planting of non-native seeds, trees or plants on graves is not permitted, as this would prevent the generation of a natural landscape in keeping with the local ecology and we reserve the right to remove any inappropriate plants without prior notice.  Adopting these principles will mean that we can all contribute in our own way to improving the environment while providing a natural and peaceful resting place for our loved ones.

WILDLIFE

Great Glen Crematorium and the natural burial ground host a wide variety of local wildlife which also thrive in the surrounding fields, adjacent hedgerows and the ponds on the site. Ecological surveys showed that the site hosts a population of Great Crested Newts within the two ponds. The newts are protected within their own enhancement area to provide breeding grounds for these endangered species.

The grounds also have their own beehives, providing homes for tens of thousands of honeybees which pollinate plants and flowers to boost the local ecosystem. The bees join a host of birds, rabbits and even deer who are frequently seen within the grounds.
 

GRAVE DEPTH

Each grave in the natural burial ground will permit the burial of a single body although cremated remains may be interred following the burial. The shallower a burial is, the less likely the body is to release methane which is a greenhouse gas that can be produced by deeper burials. A burial at the optimum depth within soil capable of binding organic material will allow greater oxygen flow resulting in a shorter time for a body to naturally degrade creating the basis for fertile soil. The grave will be no deeper than 4ft 6” to comply with current legislation.

COFFINS

When choosing a natural burial you will need to carefully consider the type of coffin you wish to use to ensure that it adheres to the environmental objectives of natural burial. We do not want to bury coffins that are going to release toxins into the ground and that are produced in an inconsiderate or unsustainable way.

Coffins designed for both cremation and ordinary burial are usually made of MDF, or chipboard bonded with synthetic resin, with plastic handles and covered in synthetic veneers. We never use these for burial in our grounds and will only permit natural environmentally friendly materials such as real wood preferably from renewable sources, wicker, bamboo or shrouds. These coffin types will naturally biodegrade over time. In addition only environmentally friendly clothing must be used to dress the deceased and any personal items placed within the coffin must also be environmentally friendly. 

Professional funeral directors are aware of the requirements for natural burial and will normally have a wide selection of environmentally friendly coffins for you to choose from.

EMBALMING

For environmental reasons the deceased may not be embalmed prior to the burial. Embalming is not environmentally friendly and is harmful to health due to the various toxic chemicals used during the process. These toxins which include formaldehyde and methanol will be absorbed into the soil and cause pollution when buried and can even leach into the water table.

Embalming is sometimes called ‘hygienic treatment’ and in most instances it is completely unnecessary for either the safe handling of the body or for viewing by relatives.

MEMORIALS

To protect the natural appearance of the grounds we only permit a specific style of wooden memorial to identify the grave. These are supplied by the burial authority and are included in the fee for the grave. We do not permit unauthorised memorials, masonry, or other items left on the grave other than fresh flowers. This approach not only preserves the beauty of the environment, but prevents maintenance issues, as well as avoiding hazards to wildlife and unnecessary waste disposal.

Our memorial markers are made of sustainable timber. As with all wood products in an outdoor environment, darkening and other natural imperfections may appear over time. Plaques will only be replaced if the wood has cracked within two years of installation (guarantee period). These fitting memorials mean that the burial ground maintains its natural ethos and feel, whilst offering family and friends a simple focus to remember and reflect.

FLOWERS

Fresh cut flowers are welcome in the natural burial ground. Floral Tributes placed on graves must not be wrapped in cellophane, tied with florist ribbon, placed in foam oasis, or plastic trays, as these items are not biodegradable. Floral tributes and flowers placed on graves will be removed once degraded.

Vases, pots, plastic or glass containers cannot be placed on or sunken into plots, as these pose a threat to wildlife. Please do not place any personal items such ornaments, toys, photographs or balloons on the grave space. Our staff will remove any items left on or near to a grave that is considered inappropriate for a natural cemetery.

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

1. Any person admitted to the Crematorium and Natural Burial Ground is subject to these Regulations and to any directions that may be given by an Officer while managing the Natural Burial  and Crematorium service.

2. All correspondence should be addressed to:
Great Glen Crematorium, Natural Burial Ground and Memorial Gardens
9 London Road, Great Glen, Leicester. LE8 9DJ

Tel: 0116 259 1101
Email: greatglen@westerleighgroup.co.uk

3. The grounds will be open to the public during the following times:

On Weekdays	9.00 am to 6.00pm. April - September 9.00 am to 5.00pm. October – March
Weekends & Bank Holidays:	10.00am – 4.30pm
Office opening hours	9.00am to 5.00pm – Monday to Friday Saturday – by appointment only.
Weekends & Bank Holidays:	10.00am – 4.30pm

 

4. A Burial Authority Officer may take any reasonable action to safeguard the health or safety of the public including closing the Natural Burial Ground or its part to the public for the purpose of interments, adverse weather conditions or any reason deemed necessary for the safe operation of the Natural Burial Ground.

5. All applications for burials must be made to the Burial Authority Office between the hours of 9.00am and 00pm Monday to Friday. Other than in exceptional circumstances or for religious reasons and with the agreement of the Burial Authority Officer at least two full working days' notice must be given before the proposed date of burial.  Notice must be given on the Great Glen Notice of Interment.

6. The appropriate fee or charge must be paid to the Burial Authority Office before any interment or work takes place unless agreed otherwise by the Office.

7. No person who is intoxicated, disorderly, uses obscene or offensive language or who commits a nuisance will be allowed in any part of the Crematorium or Natural Burial Ground.

8. All persons entering the grounds shall conduct themselves in a decent, quiet and orderly manner. No member of staff should be subjected to threatening, violent or abusive behaviour. All such instances will be recorded and reported. The Manager and staff have full powers to exclude from the grounds any member of the public who may be deemed fit to exclude. Should it be necessary to use physical force to remove a subject the Police shall be summoned.

9. The taking of commercial photographs and filming is not permitted in any part of the grounds or facilities except with the prior approval of the Manager in writing and upon payment of an appropriate fee.

10. No employee of the Burial Authority is allowed to undertake privately, any work or favour of any kind nor receive any gratuity for the said work or favour.

11. Motor vehicles must not proceed at more than 5 miles per hour and may only drive and park on the roads or prescribed areas. Drivers must obey any directions made by a Burial Authority Officer with regard to routes or parking. Unauthorised vehicles may be removed from the premises. Parking on footpaths, planted areas or lawns is not permitted.

12. Balloon releases and sky lanterns pose environmental and fire risks and are strictly not permitted within the grounds.

13. Each body, whether adult or child, brought into the Natural Burial Ground for Interment must be contained in a suitable environmentally friendly coffin, casket or shroud and bear adequate particulars of the identity of the deceased within.

14. Any person over the age of 18 years may, subject to availability and payment of the current fee, purchase a Grant for the Exclusive Rights of Burial in a grave space for ONE body interment and four cremated remains interments. The Exclusive Right of Burial in a private earth grave is 50 years from the date of purchase.

15. The Registrar's Certificate for Burial or Cremation, or the Coroner's Order for Burial must be produced to the Burial Authority Office before the interment of any body.  The Office must be advised at the time of booking if the deceased died of an infectious disease.

16. The net outside dimensions of the coffin size must be entered accurately on the interment notice or given to the office in writing at least 48 hours before the intended burial. The burial authority will not be held responsible or liable for any delay or incident which may occur as a result of such dimensions being omitted or entered incorrectly on the interment notice.

17. The burial authority will not be held responsible of any error or consequence which may arise by reason of any inaccuracy or late receipt of a notice of interment and will accept orders and instructions by telephone or email only at the risk of the sender.

18. All requests for witness backfilling of the grave must be made at the time of booking the burial or at least 48 hours before the interment takes place. It cannot always be guaranteed that the backfill will be witnessed due to adverse weather conditions or in the interest of Health & Safety.

19. All graves without exception will be dug by persons employed or contacted to the burial authority.

20. Pet ashes cannot be interred in the Natural Burial Ground.

21. The burial authority reserves the right of access over all grave spaces and the right to temporarily remove without notice any memorial or flowers from any grave to facilitate the digging of another grave for the purpose of interment or exhumation.

22. The burial authority has the right to place spoil from excavated graves on adjacent plots for the purpose of burial or exhumation. Following the interment all affected areas will be reinstated to their previous condition.

23. Graves may from time to time be “topped up” by the burial authority if required or deemed appropriate. 

24. The placing of any items such as paving slabs, shingle, pots, unauthorised memorials, benches, personal items around, on and leading to a grave space is strictly prohibited and shall be removed and disposed of without prior notice on the grounds of health and safety and maintain the natural intended environment.

25. Only fresh cut flowers are permitted on grave spaces. All wrappings, ribbons, plastic etc must be removed first.

26. The planting of trees and other plants is not permitted and is strictly controlled by the burial authority.

27. Bins are not provided within the natural burial ground to encourage families to take their litter home, or it may be placed within the bins in the crematorium gardens. 

28. Sunbathing, recreational play, ball games or other activities that may have a negative impact upon visitors to the burial ground or are not respectful to the burial ground or the environment is not permitted. Appropriate respect must be maintained at all times. This includes removing all litter.

29. All wooden memorials must be supplied and fixed by the burial authority. No external stone masons will be permitted to carry out work in the cemetery. Unauthorised memorials will be removed from the natural burial ground at the grave owner’s expense.

30. Memorial benches can only be purchased from and supplied by the burial authority and their position will be determined throughout an agreed lease period by the cemetery office.

31. Dogs are not allowed within the grounds except for guide dogs and well-behaved dogs on a lead. Any fouling must immediately be cleared up and removed from the natural burial ground. Dogs must be kept to paths only and every effort must be made to ensure they do not walk on graves. 

32. Due to the natural environment, the burial ground and surrounding areas there are likely to be unavoidable natural hazards including tree roots, ground conditions that may be uneven, muddy or slippery due to weather conditions, wildlife, flora & fauna (e.g moss). Paths can also become damaged and/or challenging due to weather conditions or wildlife. All visitors are asked to be mindful of the natural environment on site and the potential hazards that may be present.

33. Please wear appropriate, sturdy footwear for a woodland setting. Please advise all mourners attending of the nature of the woodland setting and that appropriate clothing, especially footwear should be worn.

34. Every effort has been made to ensure that access is as easy as possible for disabled visitors. However, due to the natural topography of the site, assistance may be needed.

35. No exhumations will be permitted under any circumstances except by lawful authority.
 

The burial authority reserves the right to amend these Regulations at any time if appropriate. A copy of which shall be available on our website www.greatglencrem.co.uk. Paper copies are also available upon request from our head office.