Waringstown Presbyterian Church
Graveyard Rules (October 2025)
These rules are issued under the authority of the Kirk Session and the Congregational Committee for the proper management of the graveyard of Waringstown Presbyterian Church.
1. The graveyard of Waringstown Presbyterian Church is owned by the Church, with ultimate responsibility vested in the Kirk Session (Trustees). The graveyard is managed by a sub-committee appointed by the Congregational Committee with the Congregational Committee retaining oversight of the sub-committee’s function. The sub-committee will hereafter be referred to as the Graveyard Committee.
Where the Graveyard Committee is referenced in the Graveyard Rules, it shall be understood to act within the scope of authority delegated to it by the Congregational Committee for practical purposes. In all matters of difficulty or dispute, the full Congregational Committee (including the Kirk Session) shall be convened, and its decision shall be final.
2. The graveyard is designated solely for the interment of human remains and shall be managed in accordance with the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
3. The graveyard is arranged in burial plots (hereafter referred to as ‘a plot’ or ‘plots’). Plots in the newer sections of the graveyard are measured at 1 metre in width, while those in the older sections are typically 3 feet wide or in multiples thereof. Variations may exist in historic plots. Each plot may accommodate, where possible, a maximum of three coffins. Accordingly, no plot being opened for the first time shall be dug to a depth of less than 6 feet. The burial of a cremation urn or casket within a plot shall be subject to the direction of the Graveyard Committee.
4. As of October 2025, and in order to preserve the limited number of remaining plots, it is no longer possible to apply in advance to become the registered holder(s) of a burial plot. The allocation of plots and the granting of registered holder status with associated burial rights will be administered as circumstances require.
5. The granting of registered holder status is reserved exclusively for individuals who have been contributing members of the congregation for a minimum period of three years up to the point at which the plot is required. The mere fact that a person has ancestors or relatives buried in the graveyard does not, in itself, confer any right to become the registered holder of a plot.
6. For the purposes of the Graveyard Rules, a contributing member of the congregation is defined as either a communicant member or an adherent who has: (a) regularly attended in-person Sunday worship; (b) actively contributed to the life of the church; and (c) subscribed to registered church funds, meeting the minimum subscription as determined by the Congregational Committee (see Schedule of Fees). The Kirk Session reserves the right to consider variation in exceptional circumstances.
7. Responsibility for administering the granting of registered holder status rests solely with the Graveyard Committee.
8. For the avoidance of doubt, registered holder status for any plot—whether granted before or after October 2025—does NOT confer ownership of that plot. Ownership remains with Waringstown Presbyterian Church, its Kirk Session reserving the right to administer burial ‘rights’ as deemed appropriate.
9. When a person ceases to be a contributing member of the congregation—either by discontinuing regular in-person attendance at Sunday worship or by ending subscription to registered church funds, except where cessation is due to age or infirmity—the burial rights for the plot(s) held may be forfeited.
10. An immediate family member of the registered holder may be buried in the plot, subject to approval by the Graveyard Committee. For the purpose of these Rules, immediate family members are defined as follows:
- For plots registered pre-October 2025 – spouse, son, daughter, parent, sibling.
- For plots registered post-October 2025 – spouse, son, daughter.
When the registered holder is predeceased by an immediate family member, the fee for approval to open the plot will be the same as that for a contributing member, provided that either the registered holder or the deceased is currently a contributing member.
11. Upon the death of the registered holder, the plot will remain in the holder’s name. However, the burial of an immediate family member may still be permitted in accordance with Rule 10, by common consent of the remaining close family members. Unless an objection is raised within an appropriate timeframe, the Graveyard Committee will assume consent. The fee for approval to open the plot will be determined based on whether the immediate family member is a contributing member as outlined in the Schedule of Fees.
12. Registration as a plot holder applies to the specified plot and is not transferable to a different location within the graveyard.
13. In general, a plot cannot be transferred from the registered holder to another individual or family. The only exception, subject to approval by the Graveyard Committee, allows transfer to an immediate family member of the registered holder—provided that family member is a contributing member of the congregation in accordance with Rule 6, and that the plot has not yet been opened. Upon approval, the original entitlement will be cancelled in the Graveyard Register, and the plot will be re-registered in the name of the new holder.
14. The Graveyard Committee reserves the absolute right to limit the number of plots that may be registered to any one family within the congregation.
15. In every case, before any arrangement is made, the intended use of Waringstown Presbyterian Church graveyard for graveside funeral and/or committal must be sanctioned by the Graveyard Committee. Graveside funerals and/or committals may only be conducted by the Minister-in-Charge of the congregation in accordance with the Code of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (or someone authorised by him). In the absence of a Minister-in-Charge, a Minister authorised by the Kirk Session may conduct the service.
16. No plot shall be opened without the permission and direction of the Graveyard Committee.
17. A plot may only be opened by a gravedigger approved by the Graveyard Committee. The gravedigger must hold current employee and public liability
insurance, conduct a site risk assessment, and ensure all necessary safety precautions are in place.
18. Neither the Kirk Session nor the Congregational Committee shall be held liable for any costs or expenses incurred as a result of granting permission to open a plot and effect an interment therein, whether such permission was based upon a statement made wilfully or negligently, whether intentional or accidental.
19. No tree, shrub, monument, headstone, surround, or other memorial shall be planted or erected within the graveyard without the prior consent of the Graveyard Committee. Furthermore, no inscription, logo, symbol, or image shall be affixed to any memorial without the Committee’s approval. Any monument, headstone, surround, or memorial erected or inscribed without such consent shall be subject to removal.
For the avoidance of doubt, all memorials and inscriptions must be consistent with the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and require the express approval of the Graveyard Committee.
20. Headstones only shall be permitted in the newer sections (F and G) of the graveyard. Any headstone should be of simple design. Dimensional plans for headstone design—including inscription and lettering—and, where permitted, surrounds, must be submitted to the Graveyard Committee for approval.
The maximum permissible width (including plinth and sub-surface foundation) for a headstone placed on either a single 1 m plot, or a single 3 feet plot, is strictly limited to 3 feet. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to erect a narrower monument. The maximum permissible width for a monument placed across a double plot will be determined in agreement with the graveyard committee.
The maximum permissible height above ground level for any gravestone is restricted to 1.1m. To ensure that adjacent plots are not encroached upon, the positioning of headstones and surrounds must be as directed by a member of the Graveyard Committee.
21. No contractor or other person shall begin commemorative work on any plot until dimensional plans have been submitted to and approved by the Graveyard Committee. Contractors must hold current employee and public liability insurance, conduct a site risk assessment, and ensure appropriate safety measures are in place. Neither the Kirk Session nor the Congregational Committee accepts liability for any personal injury during the erection of headstones or surrounds. Contractors are responsible for removing all surplus materials from the graveyard and church premises upon completion leaving the area clean and tidy, and for repairing any damage caused by their actions.
22. Adornments, including—but not limited to—candles and other decorative lighting, are not permitted within the graveyard. Any such items will be removed and disposed of. Floral arrangements are allowed, but they should not significantly obstruct access for grass cutting.
23.Responsibility for the upkeep of enclosed plots, including the removal of weeds and the maintenance of headstones and their surrounds, rests with the registered plot holder or surviving family members. Unsightly or withered floral displays, including those made of plastic or glass wreaths, should be disposed of.
In instances where the Graveyard Committee identifies matters relating to health and safety, the Committee reserves the right to undertake immediate remedial action without prior consultation with the registered holder or the holder’s surviving family.
In the absence of demonstrable continuing family interest, the Graveyard Committee may, at its discretion, undertake necessary maintenance.
24. Neither the Kirk Session nor the Congregational Committee shall be responsible for loss or damage to any headstone, surround or other memorial.
25. The Congregational Committee has established a schedule of fees pertaining to the management and use of the graveyard. These fees are subject to modification at the Committee’s discretion. Use of the graveyard by a registered plot holder, surviving family member, or personal representative, will constitute acceptance of the applicable fees in effect at the time of use.
26. If the holder of an unused plot dies without any known immediate family, and their burial takes place elsewhere, the burial rights for that plot will revert to the Kirk Session. In all cases, burial rights for an unused plot will revert to the Kirk Session after a minimum period of 80 years.
27. The Kirk Session of Waringstown Presbyterian Church and the Congregational Committee reserve the right to periodically review and amend the Graveyard Rules to reflect changes in burial legislation and evolving best practice for management of the facility.
Clerk of Session: David Crawford Date: October 2025
Congregational Committee Secretary: Paul Barbour Date: October 2025
Schedule of Fees January 2026
– Minimum annual contribution to church funds £100
– Grant of Registered Holder status (per single plot) £250
– Approval to open a plot for interment (contributing member)* £120
– Approval to open a plot for interment (non-contributing plot holder
or non-contributing immediate family member)* £240
– Approval to transfer a plot to an immediate family member. £75
– Approval for commemorative work £50
* including cremation urn/casket