Memorial Stability Testing

From January 2026, Bude-Stratton Town Council will begin a programme of Memorial Stability Testing at Poughill Cemetery.

This legal testing is carried out every five years to ensure memorials are safe for visitors and staff and will be undertaken by qualified personnel.

As part of routine cemetery maintenance and checks, issues have recently been identified with the stability of some gravestones. Where an immediate risk was identified, precautionary safety action has been taken to remove the risk to the public. This has included laying some stones down.

The full Memorial Stability Testing programme will still go ahead as required.

Owner responsibility:

Memorials must be maintained in a safe condition by the holder of the ‘Exclusive Right of Burial’ certificate (or their heirs). Where testing identifies that a memorial is unsafe, the Council will notify the owner. Any costs for necessary safety work must be met by the owner. In cases where there is an immediate risk, the Council may take urgent action to make the area safe.

All work will be carried out as discreetly as possible, and any action taken will be proportionate to the level of risk identified.

If you have changed address since purchasing your ‘Exclusive Right of Burial’, please let us know so we can pass on the results of any testing.

If you have concerns about your family memorial(s), please contact Bude-Stratton Town Council:

• Email: office@bude-stratton.gov.uk 
• Telephone: 01288 353576