Thornbury Cemetery

Thornbury Cemetery, Kington Lane, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1NA

Info@thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk

01454 412 103

The historic cemetery, established in 1897, is situated in a quiet and tranquil rural setting within a short walk of the town centre. Used by generations of Thornbury residents, it contains many local names from the surrounding area. A small team of staff led by the Cemetery Supervisor are responsible for the daily running and maintenance of the site, including plot openings and an annual planting scheme. The team care for the trees, shrubs and grassy areas, including pathways and seating which is provided for quiet contemplation.

We provide a burial, interment and scattering service for residents and those outside our boundary, all of which can be booked through our friendly staff in the office at the Town Hall. We deal with many local funeral directors and also residents directly; we can help talk you through the process if you are unsure of what is involved. Our experienced site team will assist professionally and compassionately on the day.

We can also supply cast bronze plaques for cremated remains plots, which can be ordered through the office at the Town Hall, using the order forms below.

If you would like to arrange a burial or ask questions about pricing and how the process works, please get in touch.

Coffin burials are accepted between the hours of:

• Monday – Thursday 10am – 3pm during summer daylight hours
• Monday – Thursday 10am – 2pm during winter daylight hours
• Friday – 10am – 11:30am

Interment or scattering of ashes are accepted between the hours of:

• Monday – Thursday 9:30am – 3:30pm during summer daylight hours
• Monday – Thursday 9:30am – 3:00pm during winter daylight hours
• Friday – 9:30am – 12pm

Burials outside of these hours will be accepted only if a Coroner or Medical Practitioner certifies that immediate interment is necessary, in which case an additional fee will apply.

In cases of grave opening to accommodate another burial, funeral directors will be responsible for the removal and reinstatement of existing memorials, and these must be removed in time to give the grave digger at least five clear working days to dig and make ready graves for interment.

Unless interment takes place within 30 minutes of the time arranged, an additional fee will be payable.

Purchase of Exclusive Right of Burial is compulsory unless there is an existing Deed of Grant in respect of the grave space or cremated remains plot in question. Fees include the costs of the issue of the Deed of Grant.

• Memorials may only be placed on grave spaces in respect of which an Exclusive Right of Burial is held (and must be produced) and when the appropriate fee has been paid.
• Memorial designs and inscriptions must be submitted for approval.
• Kerb stones are NOT permitted in certain areas of the cemetery.
• No memorials other than the bronze plaques supplied by the Council are permitted in the areas for interment of cremated remains.

Any structural or cosmetic work on memorials, including fixing, restoration, and regilding, must be undertaken by an accredited memorial mason working to current British Standard BS8415. A list of accredited masons can be found on the websites of the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons and the National Association of Memorial Masons. Professional cleaning work can be undertaken by other companies, providing that they are suitably insured and can provide risk assessments, method statements and COSHH sheets for their work.

Headstones will be subject to routine memorial safety testing by cemetery staff to ensure they continue to meet required standards of condition and safety. It is important that plot owners keep their contact details held by us up to date so that we communicate with you any changes in your headstone. Information on Memorial Testing at Thornbury Cemetery.

Although there is CCTV at the site, memorials are not covered against damage and vandalism so you can make your own insurance arrangements should you feel it necessary.

Thornbury Town Council is a member of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, which means we work in line with their guidelines and best practice.