Grieving families in Newcastle will be allowed larger headstones for their loved ones – following requests from the Traveller community and others. Newcastle Borough Council has updated its policy to allow memorial headstones up to 40 inches in height at its cemeteries, an increase on the previous limit of 36 inches.
The council carried out a consultation on the issue last year, with 17 of the 20 respondents saying the previous policy was too restrictive. Members of the borough’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community, who often prefer larger memorials, were among those calling for the change, saying it would help families get through the grieving process.
The new size policy will also allow a greater range of headstone designs, such as double hearts and books, which did not comply with the previous rules, as well as giving space for longer inscriptions. But the council ruled out aligning its policy with Stoke-on-Trent’s, which allows headstones up to five feet high.
Cabinet members heard representations from members of the GRT community before confirming the policy change.
Campaigner Siobhan Spencer told the cabinet that increasing the headstone size limit would not only benefit Gypsy and Traveller families.
Dr Spencer said: “There are many people who would welcome less restrictive rules. Death is a great leveller, we’re all pretty much the same in that respect.
“I do believe we’re a terrible country for prescriptive law. Once we have prescriptive measurements its problematic and can cause anguish for families. It’s incredibly important that wishes can be adhered to if possible. It aids mental health and allows for the full grieving process.
“I’ve worked in a voluntary capacity with some families who have lost children, and it means the world to them to have the stone that they desire.”
Lisa Maughan told the cabinet that her family had been affected by the headstone restrictions. She said: “Not being able to put a fitting memorial up for my mum when she passed away seven years ago, ripped the heart out of me. You feel demoralised, you feel you let your parents down. Being able to put up a fitting memorial would allow my family to get back something that was taken away.”
Dr Spencer asked the cabinet why the borough council could not match Stoke-on-Trent’s five foot limit.
Councillor David Hutchison, cabinet member for sustainable environment, said he had considered the issue carefully and concluded that 40 inches would be a suitable limit. This would be similar to the 38 inch limit in the Staffordshire Moorlands, and the 42 inch limit in Cheshire East.
Cllr Hutchison said: “I understand that you would wish Newcastle to increase the size to five foot. However, we are making a decision on what would be best for the sites and communities in Newcastle. Having spoken to the local stonemasons, I understand that our proposed height of 40 inches will accommodate 99 per cent of customer wishes. The reason for not increasing to five foot is the belief that this will create significant height differences between the headstones. We feel that families with a 36 inch headstone would not be happy being overshadowed by a taller grave.”
The council’s updated headstones policy will also permit things such as ‘non-offensive’ jokes and symbols, nicknames and photographs.