What to do if your headstone has been made safe
Background
We are working in collaboration with local Monumental Masons to provide some key information for headstone owners, should you wish to reinstate your headstone. We recognise this can be an emotive issue, so we have laid out a step by step process below
This information relates to headstones which have been laid flat through the Headstone Safety Inspection process only.
What’s happened?
As a Burial Authority, Scottish Borders Council are required to undertake Headstone Safety Inspections. If you have a sign at your/your family’s headstone it has not passed the safety testing and we have been required to make this safe by laying flat or socketing it into the ground. This is a last resort and is done to ensure public safety.
What Happens Next
You can contact any of the above Monumental Masons who will carry out the following procedures upon receiving your enquiry;
- Survey the headstone and check for any defects
- Check if a new foundation is required
- Provide you with an estimate and a detailed description of works that may be required to re-erect the headstone. These works may include repining the upper plate of the headstone to the base in accordance with NAMM/BRAMM industry standards or the installation of a concealed ground anchor pin again in accordance with industry standards
- Your choice of Monumental Mason will also provide you with terms and conditions for payment
Monumental Masons contact details
The Monumental Masons who have collaborated with the Council in the preparation of this are detailed below;
Thomas Brown & Sons, Melrose – info@tbsmelrose.co.uk Tel: 01896 822632
Robertson Memorials, Kelso – contact kelso@robertsonmemorials.co.uk 01573 224772
Andrew Bunyan, Selkirk – thebunyanfamily@gmail.com Tel: 01750 722014
David Martin, Eyemouth – d.martinfd@outlook.com Tel: 01890 750786
How much will it cost?
- Two part headstones up to 900 mm in height will be in the region of £300.00 - £600.00 to re-erect and these costs are estimated on the basis of works that are required
- Additional works ie. cleaning and repainting of lettering will be priced separately
- The re-erection of larger or multiple part headstones, they will be surveyed and priced accordingly
Please note: Scottish Borders Council are not responsible for the undertaking of any works to reinstate headstones; any questions around these works can be discussed with your preferred Monumental Mason using the contact details above.
Why have you laid my headstone flat?
Scottish Borders Council have a legal obligation under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Occupiers Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that cemeteries are maintained in safe condition. Burial authorities have a permanent responsibility for a programme of headstone safety, inspecting and making safe headstones in line with legislation and national guidance.
As part of these statutory safety works, Scottish Borders Council undertakes a cyclical programme of safety inspections and making safe headstones. This involves making safe by either socketing, laying flat or cordoning off any headstone that fails the safety inspection and requires to be immediately made safe.