Thaxted Churchyard

Thaxted parish church is fortunate in that it still has a churchyard open for burials. The churchyards of many other churches are now full and closed but here we are grateful to Simon Latham for the donationof a further piece of land by the windmill which will enable burials to continue for very many years. An ‘open’ churchyard brings responsibilities for care and appearance and we are grateful to a small group of volunteers who undertake regular maintenance, and also of course to the families of deceased relatives who tend the individual graves so lovingly and carefully.

What some people may not realise is that the way that the churchyard looks, and what we can and can’t do within it, is not governed by Thaxted church. The beauty and calm of the churchyard and the way it looks, is governed by a set of standards and rules which come from the Diocese – which is the overarching body for the church in Essex – and they are the same for every church. So while we, as the church in Thaxted, are given the responsibility for maintenance, we need to do things in a certain way and ensure the churchyard meets these standards. These may differ from public cemeteries.This also extends to the way the graves are kept, and of course we are now treading on sensitive ground.

The way families wish to commemorate their deceased relatives is often highly personal and very important. Sometimes however it can conflict with the standards with which we are required to conform – hence this article to help families understand some of these requirements. Only fresh flowers or stems from shrubs and bushes should be placed on graves. Plastic or artificial flowers are not permitted except for wreaths at Remembrance, Christmas, or for two weeks on the anniversary of the person who has died.

Kerbs to graves are not allowed these days, despite some being there from previous burials. Over the passage of years kerbs deteriorate and become partially or wholly sunken into the ground or broken.They then become a hazard and create difficulty for those maintaining the churchyard with modern equipment. So it is welcomed when families volunteer to remove old kerbs from around older memorials

because it is so much easier to maintain the grass round a headstone alone.

The use of chippings and other stones within kerbs was fashionable for a time but these also create hazards for modern equipment and can cause damage if thrown by vandals. It has therefore been the practice for many years not to allow the introduction of chippings or stones of any kind within existing kerbs or on graves. Even more sensitive can be the personal items that people wish to leave on graves. We try to be as understanding as possible, particularly in the first weeks and months after a funeral, but personal items, such as photographs, toys, lights and other ornaments, are not allowed on graves without permission. Those who visit the churchyard regularly will immediately have realised that there are many graves which do not conform with the standards I have described above. This article is the first step to provide information and explanation to families and then to begin very carefully and gradually to work with families and others to restore the churchyard more to how it is required to be. As I have said, this may be very sensitive ground, and we shall be very alert to how people may feel and ready to talk to people individually if they wish.

In the end this is about perpetuating a place of beauty and calm in the middle of our town for people torest in peace and for people to visit. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful space, and we can allwork together to preserve it.

A leaflet has been produced to help make decisions with regard to what is allowed within the Parish Churchyard. The current burial ground is detached from the immediate surrounds of the Church which is a closed Graveyard. The current Churchyard has been consecrated by a Bishop as holy ground, dedicated to the service of God. The guidelines within the leaflet are taken from the Churchyard Handbook produced by the Bishop of Chelmsford's office for the diocese of which Thaxted is a part. The Vicar will be able to show you a copy of this document if required and will explain who is eligible to be interred in the Parish Churchyard and the appropriate type of service. 

In 2014 the Bishop opened an extension to our Churchyard. This is now in use and should provide space for many years to come. The Church thanks the Town Council and Simon Latham for their help in making this possible.