Apply for a memorial

A monumental mason will guide you through the application process which includes confirming the rightful owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial, discussing your choices and completing the necessary forms.

The mason will submit the application and pay the relevant fee on your behalf. When we have checked the application, we will issue a permit for the mason to place or work on the stone.

All memorials must have the grave number engraved visibly. When a memorial is taken in for additional work, the number must be added if it is not already present.

All headstones must be fixed or re-fixed using a NAMM-approved ground anchor system, identified by an asterisk (*) after the grave number. Every memorial must be installed to at least the standards of the current NAMM Code of Working Practice.

Putting up a headstone

A natural stone memorial is an enduring commemoration. It's important to make a careful decision about the design material and manufacturer.

It is a good idea to look at the options first, perhaps by looking at existing memorials in the cemetery. There is no minimum time before you can place a memorial but it is best to give six months for the ground to settle.

Apart from only allowing the use of local slate (or very similar material) in the Lakes cemeteries, we try not to restrict design and material. Our cemetery regulations (PDF, 422kb) give details on what you can and can't do.

To make sure headstones are safe we restrict the types of foundations and fixings used.

All memorials need to be fixed by a Monumental Mason registered with us. This ensures they are qualified and insured to be working within the cemeteries and that they keep to our regulations and to industry best practice.

Alternative memorial options

As an alternative to the traditional headstone memorial, other options are available. These include a bronze plaque, a bench memorial, or the tree donation scheme.

Apply for a bronze plaque

Barrow Cemetery, Ulverston Cemetery and Penrith cemetery have spaces dedicated to memorials plaques

Contact the relevant bereavement services office to apply.

Enquire about a bench memorial

Please use our contact us page to contact the bereavement services office closest to your request for further information. 

Enquire about the tree donation scheme

We have limited options for the dedication of a tree and different schemes and options apply in different areas. Contact the relevant bereavement services office to enquire. 

Contact us

Barrow office

Covering Barrow, Dalton and Ireleth Cemeteries, Thorncliffe Crematorium, Barrow and enquires for the Barrow area.

Phone: 01229 876542
Email: cemetery-1@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Kendal office

Covering Kendal, Windermere, Bowness, Grasmere, Ulverston, Grange and Sedbergh Cemeteries and enquires for the South Lakeland area.

Phone: 01539 793554
Email: cemeteries@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Penrith office

Covering Penrith, Appleby, Alston, Garrigill and Nenthead and enquires for the Eden area.

Phone: 01768 212251
Email: penrith.cemetery@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk