Churchyard & Outdoors

Slips and trips can happen outdoors as well as inside.  Think about paths and driveways and ensure they are in good repair.  See the page on ‘Slips and Trips’ for more information.

Other things to think about:

• Do you have adequate lighting for paths that are used regularly at night?
• Are steps and steep paths fitted with handrails?
• Are your trees regularly inspected by a qualified tree surgeon?
• Are your boundary walls, gates and gravestones, tombs and monuments properly maintained in a safe condition?
• If your churchyard is still used for burials ensure that graves left open immediately prior to burials are properly shored up to prevent collapse and are safely covered over.

Although gravestones are the responsibility of the family of the deceased, you have a general responsibility for the churchyard safety and specific responsibility in relation to gravestones if the family cannot be traced.

It is strongly recommended that gravestones and monuments be checked for safety at least annually.   Any items being found to be unstable or dangerous must be laid flat to prevent the possibility of injury arising.