Memorial Safety Testing

  • Local authorities are required by Health and Safety law to ensure that their cemeteries are safe for visitors, workers and contractors alike. The law has recently been clarified, and councils are now advised to consult a qualified monumental mason or structural engineer. Downend Memorials are qualified to carry out these checks and do so on behalf of several local authorities.

    This means that potentially unsafe memorials can be repaired quickly and effectively, minimising the distress caused.

    If this issue affects you, please contact us for further advice.

    All our memorials are designed and erected to strict British Standards and the industry Code of Working Practice. We use stainless steel ground anchors where appropriate, ensuring that our memorials are fully compliant and are as safe as possible.

    For complete peace of mind in the future we suggest very reasonable, all-risks cover from Stoneguard, the market leader in memorial insurance. We understand that this procedure is covered by this policy. Please contact us for further information.

    You can read the Ministry of Justice report here.

  • Working with Councils and Church Authorities, Downend Memorials are qualified to carry out memorial health and safety testing and inspections.

    Structured around the Ministry of Justice guidelines ‘Managing the Safety of Burial Ground Memorials’ and British Standards BS8145-2018 Annex A, these tests are required by law to maintain memorial sites and cemeteries. The inspection process involves a detailed examination of headstones and memorials to assess their overall condition, structural integrity and stability.

    We will also check for any damage that may have occurred due to environmental factors and that the memorials are in compliance with safety regulations.

    By conducting thorough inspections on behalf of customers and local authorities, we help to maintain a pleasant and safe environment for visitors and preserve the integrity of cemeteries. Overall, we help ensure that all memorials are safe and properly maintained.

  • The testing of memorials to ensure they are safe involves a thorough inspection and assessment process to determine their structural integrity, including:

    • Visual Inspection: We check for any obvious signs of damage, such as broken jointing, movement or tilting. Overall, we look at issues that may affect the stability of the headstone, rather than normal wear and tear.

    • Stability Testing: We need to know that the headstone is not able to fall over, or collapse under gentle pressure. We will try to assess whether it is securely anchored and that the jointing to the foundation is intact.

    • Structural Assessment: We will look at the materials used, such as granite, marble, or other stone, to ensure they have not become weakened due to to deterioration over time. This may include checking for water damage or erosion that could compromise the headstone’s safety.

    • Foundation Inspection: Checking that the foundation on which the headstone is installed meets current standards, that it is stable and not dangerously out of level.

    • Compliance Check: We will look at whether the headstone meets current local regulations and standards for cemetery safety. Although these regulations may have changed over time, we check that the memorial adheres to guidelines regarding size and installation.

  • Our conservationists are qualified to the highest standards and can clean and restore an existing memorial sympathetically.

    We will look at your memorial and assess what work needs to be done.  You will then receive a detailed quotation covering the removal and refixing costs, any restoration or cleaning, and any other work we think may be appropriate for you.

    Complying with current British Standards for safety will usually mean replacing the existing foundations with new, compliant foundations. We would usually need to fit the memorial with a “ground anchor”, which is a large stainless steel bar used to prevent the memorial from falling or being pushed over.

  • We have been in this industry for over 40 years, and believe we offer the best memorials you can buy. We are also guided by a strict industry Code of Practice. This covers the way we design and construct our memorials, and how we conduct our business. Our memorials are guaranteed for 10 years (subject to reasonable conditions) for any problems with materials and workmanship. Please also read our Terms and Conditions of Sale for full information.

    For complete peace of mind in the future we suggest very reasonable, all-risks cover from Stoneguard, the market leader in memorial insurance. Premiums are based on a small percentage of the cost of the memorial, and we are happy to recommend this policy. Please contact us for further information.

  • You can read our full Terms and Conditions here. They will also be included in your quotation and order paperwork.