Cemeteries - Memorial Headstones

Guidelines for looking after our cemeteries

In our community, we are fortunate to have peaceful and scenic cemeteries where we can honour our loved ones. To keep these special places beautiful and safe, we need your help:

Memorial headstones

Approval, installation and care for memorial headstones:

Our cemeteries are for our communities. However, please submit your memorial headstone application to Council for approval, before installing any memorial headstone.
Before starting any new work on a memorial headstone, please submit your draft design sketch, material details, and measurements to Council, with your application.
It's important to keep these memorial headstones in good condition and to respect these important spaces. This is the responsibility of those who purchased the plot or their representatives. Help us to keep the cemeteries looking beautiful and safe for all users.

Council inspections

Council regularly checks memorial headstones to ensure they are safe and do not cause any problems for visitors, and other burials.

Removing memorial headstones

Under Sections 9.g. and 9.h. of the Burial and Cremations Act, Council can:

Remove any item installed without Council approval.
Remove any memorial headstone or monument that is broken or decayed.

Please note that Council will take a photo of any memorial headstone before removing it. Photos will be kept in Council records.

Requirements for lawn cemeteries

In lawn cemeteries, memorial headstones and monuments can only be installed according to Council's specific rules. Please refer to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council Cemeteries Bylaw for further information.

Lawn cemetery layout

Our cemeteries have a lawn cemetery layout (please see example image below), with open rows of grass to allow easy access for visitors, including the elderly and those with disabilities. Encroachments on the lawn area can make it difficult for grieving whānau to move around an adjoining burial plot safely.

Please help us to keep the lawn area clear. There are many reasons for this, including:

Accessibility and Safety - Some ornaments and garden like installations have become tripping hazards, and broken glass from wind-blown containers and ornaments can be dangerous for visitors.
Burial Services - When these items encroach onto the lawn, it complicates the process of preparing neighbouring plots for new burials. This makes it challenging for the sexton to prepare the plot, and for families to gather during services.
Maintenance - Our maintenance contractor struggles to keep the area clean and tidy when encroachments exist, and there’s a risk of damaging them.
Fairness and Consistency - We want to ensure all families are treated fairly. When items encroach onto the lawn, it encourages others to do the same, leading to inconsistency and potential disputes.

We appreciate your help in keeping our cemeteries respectful and safe for everyone. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Council on 0800 926 732, or by emailing info@westernbay.govt.nz