Cemetery Standard Operating Procedures 2011 - Tasman District ...

Burials on Sundays and Public Holidays may be approved at the discretion of the
Cemetery Manager and by paying the required extra fee for this service as specified in
the Schedule of Fees.
3.3 Notification of Burial and Bookings System
Notification of an intended burial and expected time of arrival at the Cemetery shall be
given to the Cemetery Manager a minimum of 16 working hours prior to the time of
interment and no burial will take place until the Sexton has received a burial warrant.
Notification must be in writing on the prescribed form and confirmed by telephone. The
form may be delivered by fax.
The date and time of the booking for the intended burial will be recorded and where a
second booking requests the same time and day for the burial the first booking will take
precedence. To allow time for mourners to leave the cemetery and Councils contractors
to complete the fill in of the grave, bookings will not be taken within two hours of each
other.
If the time varies greatly from the intended time alternative arrangements must be made
with the Cemetery Manager.
NB The notice required for long weekends, Statutory Holidays and other such
circumstances can be reduced on application to the Cemetery Manager.
3.4 Grave Location
Graves can be located by contacting the Cemetery Manager. A fee may apply.
3.5 Breaking Concrete
A separate fee applies if Councils Contractor is required to break concrete.
3.6 Grave Preparation
All graves will be dug to double depth of 2.0 metres at the initial burial to allow a second
interment in the grave, unless in a Natural Burial Area or otherwise specifically
requested.
The minimum depth of cover for any casket shall not be less than 1 metre.
No person other than the approved cemetery contractors or Council staff shall open a
grave or open the ground for a burial in any Cemetery.
The family or friends of the deceased may close any grave or area opened for burial
having gained prior approval from the Cemetery Manager. Work must be completed in
the presence of Council staff or contractor under terms and conditions considered
appropriate.
3.7 Grave reinstatement
In the case of concrete covered graves, it is the responsibility of the owner or client to
re-instate the concrete covering on the grave after the burial.
3.8 Maintenance of Graves
In the normal course of business the cemeteries will be maintained by Council.
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