The graveyard of Clogher Presbyterian Church is governed by a set of rules drawn up by the Congregational Committee. Those rules are as follows:
1. A Sub-committee, known as the Graveyard Committee, comprised of not less than three members appointed from the Congregational Committee, shall deal with all matters connected with the Burial Ground and interments, except in cases of dispute. In any dispute concerning allocation of graves, transfer of burial rights, the management of the graveyard or the interpretation of these rules, the decision of the Congregational Committee must be sought and shall be final.
2. Burial Rights and Grave Plots are reserved only for members of the congregation as defined in Rule 3. It is the responsibility of members of the congregation to reserve a grave plot. Members wishing to register a grave plot in their name shall pay a fee of £30.00
3. A Member for the purpose of these Graveyard Rules is:
(a) One who ordinarily subscribes a minimum of £100.00 to the Free Will Offering scheme each year.
(b) One having close affiliation with Clogher Presbyterian Church at the absolute discretion of the Graveyard Committee.
(c) The entitlement of those who held Burial Rights prior to the 31. 03. 2011 shall not be infringed by the foregoing statements.
4. When a person ceases to fulfil the definition of a member of this Congregation (see Rule 3), the privilege of burial in the Grave Plot of which he/she had previously been the registered holder is forfeited. Such persons, if they desire interment shall pay a fee of £1000.00 for each interment. The same fee is payable for the reposal of ashes. These fees MUST be paid in advance, before the grave is opened.
5. Only ONE person shall be registered as the holder of a grave plot. No transfer of a grave plot shall take place without the consent of the Graveyard Committee who will register the transfer.
6. The length of a grave plot shall be 8 feet. The width of a Single Plot shall be 3 feet 6 inches. The width of a double plot shall be 7 feet.
7. Only the Graveyard Committee shall have the right to decide the position of a grave/s. Likewise, only the Graveyard Committee can authorise the opening of a grave/s. Such permission must always accord with the Graveyard Rules. In the event of any dispute the decision of the Congregational Committee must be sought and shall be final.
8. A Memorial stone (headstone) ONLY, (i.e. no surround or base) shall be permitted, (agreed 2011) and shall not exceed 4 feet in height (excluding the base). It shall be of marble or granite and is to be black, charcoal or grey in colour. Surrounds and/or bases may be permitted at the discretion of the Graveyard Committee where adjacent graves already have surrounds/bases. Application for the erection of any memorial and/or surround must be made to, and consent granted by, the Graveyard Committee BEFORE work can commence.
9. The wording of any inscription must be submitted to the Kirk Session and authorised in writing BEFORE the work proceeds.
10. – (a) Only grey, black or white marble chippings, or natural coloured granite chippings, or natural pebbles/stones are permitted (i.e. no coloured chippings). Green artificial grass turf may be used in place of chippings. All the foregoing are permitted ONLY on graves with surrounds. No coverings of any type are permitted on graves which do not have a surround.
(b) Glass vases or other hazardous materials must not be placed on any grave.
(c) Floral tributes ONLY are permitted on any grave. ALL other items require the permission of the Committee. Lights of any type are not permitted.
(d) No shrubs or trees shall be planted on any grave plot, except in a pot, basket or similar container.
(e) After a period of 6 months from the date of burial, artificial wreaths may be removed by the Graveyard Committee. This shall be at the discretion of the Graveyard Committee.
(f) The Graveyard Committee reserve the right to remove anything deemed to be a hazard, in a poor state of repair, contrary to these Graveyard Rules, or, contrary to our Presbyterian ethos.
11. Contractors or other persons erecting or replacing a Memorial stone, surround or base, or making any alterations to a grave plot, or carrying out any work in the graveyard shall be responsible for conducting a Risk Assessment before the work commences and shall follow health and safety procedures when working on site. Such persons are responsible for removing all surplus materials from the graveyard.
12. The upkeep and condition of all graves, including Memorial stones, surrounds and bases shall be the sole responsibility of the person holding the Rights to the Burial Plot. The Congregational Committee reserves the right to lay flat, or to remove any unsafe Memorial. (See also Rule 10).
13. Neither the Congregational Committee nor the Trustees shall be responsible for any loss or damage to any grave plot or anything placed thereon. Neither shall they be liable for any personal injury occurring during the erection of any Memorial stone or surround.
14. Funeral Services in the Graveyard, as in the Church, are entirely in the hands of, and can only be conducted by the Minister in charge of the Congregation, or someone authorised by the Minister. The Minister must always be consulted BEFORE any burial arrangements are made.
15. The Congregational Committee shall be at liberty from time to time to alter and update any or all of these rules, regulations and fees.
Revised November 2021