As consecrated ground and shared spaces, churchyards must be cared for and maintained for the benefit of both present and future generations. To help protect their special character, from 1 November 2026 new Churchyard Regulations will apply across the Diocese. A template for the regulations has been produced nationally, and it is hoped that this approach will provide more uniformity and clarity across the Church of England.
Churchyards are significant for both the living and the dead. They are special places for many, where crowds of buried memories sleep, where ecology thrives, and where the living can often find peace. Whilst holding particular significance for those whose loved ones rest there, churchyards are also important to parishioners, historians, ecologists, visitors, and many others.
The new Churchyard Memorial Regulations, (found at the bottom of this page) outline the form of memorials that can be granted permission for introduction, replacement, repair or alteration by the Minister. If a memorial does not comply with the specifications within the Regulations, then a faculty will still be required.
To accompany the Regulations, a new Churchyard Memorial Application Form must be used to erect a new memorial, replace or repair, or add to or amend an inscription on an existing memorial. The approval procedure is outlined within Schedule 2 of the Regulations. Applications should be sent to the minister, who will be the incumbent of a benefice and in a vacancy:
- The priest in charge; or
- The curate licensed to the charge of the parish; or
- Where there is no priest in charge or curate licensed to the charge of the parish, the Area Dean.
A Handbook for the Bereaved has also been provided to be given to bereaved families considering a churchyard burial. This comprises a condensed version of the Regulations and is intended to give bereaved families the information they need from the start. It can be found at the bottom of this article.
It should be noted that the legal process by which a minister was able to admit compliant memorials without the need for a faculty is now by way of an Additional Matters Order (AMO), rather than delegated authority as previously. The full AMO is available at the bottom of this article. Please note that an AMO application is NOT necessary via the Online Faculty System or Building Management Portal and the procedure outlined in Schedule 2 of the Regulations should be followed.
Bristol Diocesan Registry have also provided a useful guide to the new regulations.