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Care and maintenance of graves

 
The Council maintains cemeteries in Greenwich, but grave owners must maintain their individual grave sites, including any memorials or plantings.

You may either do your own maintenance, or pay the Council to do it for you.

This page explains how to look after a grave, and what services the Council can offer to assist you.

Looking after a new grave

A new grave will take some time to settle, and cemetery staff will periodically add topsoil to the grave until this settlement stops. It is important not to add any memorial or do any substantial grave dressing or decoration during the 11 months after the burial has taken place. If you do plant flowers or add decorations, no topsoil will be added.

Adding flowers or a memorial

You may choose to add flowers to your grave, or create and add a memorial.

Flowers and plants must be kept within the space of the grave, but you may not use plastic, wire or wooden edging to achieve this.

Glass vases, jars or bottles may not be used. Flower holders may be used, but keep in mind that silver or gold tops of flower holders are often ‘stolen’ by birds that are trying to get the insects inside the vase.

Wind chimes and windmills

We ask that wind ornaments not be used, as they create noise that is not always welcomed by other cemetery visitors. They also get in the way of maintenance such as grass cutting. (If you do place a wind chime or windmill, the grass will not be cut in that area.)

Maintenance service

If you do not wish to maintain a grave yourself, the following services are available from the Council to help you.

  • Attention

    A basic level of service, giving the grave site monthly attention to keep it free from weeds.

    (The grass immediately surrounding the grave will be cut regularly by the ground maintenance team and does not form part of the contract.)

  • Planting

    The grave will be planted with about 16 spring and summer bedding plants, including polyanthus, geraniums and gazanias. The grave will be attended to once per month in winter and twice a month in summer. Plants will be watered and fed, and weeds removed.

    (The grass immediately surrounding the grave will be cut regularly by the ground maintenance team and does not form part of the contract.)

  • Turfing

    The surface of the grave can be made level with the surrounding ground. This can only be done between October and March.
Details of prices are available on the funeral service fees page.

Request maintenance of grave

To request maintenance service on an existing grave, complete our grave maintenance request online form.

A to Z of Services

Contact information