Foreword
Cemeteries are highly valued by their local communities and others. First and foremost, cemeteries are places to respect and commemorate the dead, and so are important to the families and friends of people who are buried there. Local people also use cemeteries for exercise and relaxation, and for the study and enjoyment of nature and local history. Space for burials is becoming scarcer, especially in urban and suburban areas where there is pressure to develop land. At the same time, the condition of many cemeteries is deteriorating due to inadequate or inappropriate management. Lack of resources has also contributed to the deterioration of cemeteries. In 2001 a Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry on cemeteries examined current provision for burials, discussed the question of maintaining existing cemeteries and looked at options for the future. Subsequently the Government asked English Heritage and English Nature to provide guidance on the conservation and management of cemeteries. This document is the first response to that request; comments and suggestions for future editions are welcomed.
Government policy is that 'local burial and cremation facilities should offer a fitting environment for the bereaved and enhance the life of the community' and that 'cemetery services must be consistent with broader Government policies on the environment and cultural heritage' (Home Office 2001) The Government policy statement, The Historic Environment: A Force for Our Future DCMS and DTLR 2001) emphasises the importance of the historic landscape and features such as cemeteries in shaping the identity of neighbourhoods. Properly managed green spaces are essential to successful and sustainable urban regeneration. Better understanding of cemeteries may also help inform issues on the horizon like the location and design of new cemeteries. The debate on green space, including cemeteries, continues through the Government Spending Review on Public Space and the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce (for further information on the spending review see: http://www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/Spending_Review/spend_ccr/spend_ccr_index.cfm and http://www.press.dtlr.gov.uk/0109/0398.htm. The Urban Green Spaces Taskforce: http://www.urban.dtlr.gov.uk/taskforce/index.htm).
This publication is intended for local authority and other cemetery managers, conservation officers, elected members and local people interested in getting involved in caring for their own cemetery. It is not a complete manual, but an introduction to the issues involved in cemetery conservation and management. The significance of cemeteries as landscapes of historic interest or wildlife value is explained, and the importance of conserving both designed and natural features of cemeteries is highlighted. There are suggestions on how to evaluate cemeteries and use statutory designations to protect them, and an explanation of how to use Conservation Management Plans for medium- and long-term, as well as day-to-day, care of cemeteries. Advice on where to look for more detailed information and support is given in the Further reading and Useful contacts sections. For example, guidance on churchyards may also be useful for cemeteries, although different conservation issues apply to each kind of site. English Heritage and English Nature plan to issue detailed advice on practical aspects of cemetery conservation and management; details will be published on both organisations' websites in due course.
Jenifer White
English Heritage
23 Savile Row, London
W1S 2ET
UK
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