Cemetery maintenance over autumn and winter - request for visitors
This is a request to deed holders and visitors attending our cemeteries in the Arun district during grave turfing over the autumn and winter months.
In accordance with the council's Cemeteries Regulations (Regulation 8.1.5), annual grave turfing will take place at our cemeteries during the autumn and winter months.
This work involves making level and turfing selected lawn graves to help maintain a safe, respectful and accessible burial ground for all visitors.
Deed holders and visitors are reminded that the following items are not permitted on lawn graves:
- stones, gravel, bark chippings
- glass vases, wind chimes, lights, clothing, or other fragile or deteriorating mementoes
- trees or shrubs, whether planted or in pots
We respectfully ask that any such items are removed before turfing begins (Regulation 8.1.4) which is scheduled to commence 31 October 2026. Any items remaining at the time of turfing shall be removed, stored for 28 days, and then disposed of if unclaimed.
The Exclusive Right of Burial - Your Rights and Responsibilities leaflet, available on cemetery noticeboards, online and available at Bognor Regis Town and the Arun Civic Centre, summarises what is and is not permitted.
The full Cemeteries Regulations can be viewed at: https://www.arun.gov.uk/cemeteries
Following turfing, annual and perennial plants may be placed in a soil border at the foot of the headstone, up to 45cm deep (Regulation 8.1.2).
We thank deed holders and visitors for their cooperation in helping us maintain and respect these burial grounds for the benefit of everyone.
For further information contact the Cemeteries Service at Cemeteries@arun.gov.uk or call 01903 737954.