Monuments and headstones

• Monuments and headstones can only be erected with the authority of the registered lair holder and permission obtained from the Cemeteries Service.
• The maximum dimensions permitted are restricted.
• Work to erect a memorial can only be undertaken by a registered monumental mason and must comply with the requirements of Stirling Council’s Registration Scheme

Applicants should submit a request in writing to the Cemeteries Service.  Due to demand a number of our more ‘active’ cemeteries may have a waiting list. Once approved the cost of the bench and all fixings including delivery fees will be the responsibility of the applicant.  Please note that only benches provided by recommended suppliers will be authorised. (J & J Learmonth or Streetscape Ltd).

Foundations will be supplied by the Cemeteries service. Stirling Council will guarantee any bench for a period of one year from installation. The guarantee covers failure of the structure of the bench and painting/staining where appropriate but does not cover damage by vandalism.

If a bench falls into a state of disrepair, the Cemeteries Service will write to the donor advising them of this. If the donor does not either remove or repair the bench within a period of one month from the date of the letter/call, the bench will be removed and the next donor on the waiting list will be invited to supply a bench.

The maximum dimensions of a monument placed on a full coffin or cremated remains lair should be:

Height 5ft (1524 mm)
Width 3ft (914 mm)
Depth 1ft (305 mm)

Smaller lair markers for stillborn and non-viable foetus lairs can include inscribed flower vases or small grave plaque. These should measure a maximum of:

Height 1ft6in (457mm)
Width 1ft6in (457 mm)
Depth 1ft (305mm)

The lair holder is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of any monument or headstone erected upon a lair for the lifetime of that memorial.

• The Council has a duty to ensure inscriptions are not offensive and to maintain standards of decency within the cemetery.
• There is no requirement for a headstone or memorial to be erected. This is a matter of choice for the family or executors.

Headstones can be insured for maintenance purposes and against vandalism, your local Monumental Mason should be able to provide you with more details about this.

Unstable memorials can pose a danger to our staff, members of the public who wish to visit our cemeteries and those who attend interments.

We have a responsibility to our staff and members of the public to ensure, where possible that our churchyards and cemeteries are a safe environment and meet Health & Safety Standards.