Shetland Islands Council has just updated its rules around burial ground management.
These include important information around issues such as floral arrangements and planting, appropriate memorials, and new rules to cover those kirkyards where church buildings are sold, to make sure bereaved families are supported when visiting.
The new rules can be found online or you can contact Burial Services on 01595 744853 or 744898, or email if you require a paper copy posted to you.
Robbie McGregor is Vice Chair of the SIC’s Environment and Transport Committee: “Our burial grounds have to be safe places to work and visit, and there are stringent legislation and codes of practice we need to follow.
“Among other things, we’ve made additional information available around floral arrangements and tributes, highlighted the need for families to employ Council-approved memorial stonemasons, and clarified the rules around memorial dimensions and foundations.
“It is important that we continue to provide a high standard of service for those who are bereaved, and do what we can to ensure bereaved families receive the respect and dignity they deserve when they visit our burial grounds.”