Chigwell Cemetery - Memorial Safety Inspections
Published: 22 April 2026
Memorial Safety Inspections – Important Information for VisitorsChigwell Parish Council is committed to maintaining a safe and dignified environment for all who visit Chigwell Cemetery.
As the cemetery is open to the public, the Council has a legal duty of care to ensure that memorials are safe and do not pose a risk to visitors, families, or staff.
Why are inspections taking place?In line with health and safety legislation and national guidance, Chigwell Parish Council is required to carry out Memorial Safety Inspections.
Council cemetery staff are trained and authorised to carry out these inspections.
What visitors may seeOver the coming days, we are trialling a Memorial Safety Inspection Programme at Chigwell Cemetery. Visitors may see cemetery operatives gently examining memorials on graves using a visual and hand pressure test only. This is a standard and approved method used nationally to identify memorials that may be unsafe.
If a memorial is found to be unsafeWhere a memorial presents an immediate safety risk, cemetery staff may take temporary make safe action. This may include:
- Placing wooden supports in the ground
- Securing the memorial with safety strapping
- A yellow warning triangle will be placed on the memorial
- These measures are temporary, necessary to protect public safety, and do not cause damage to the memorial
- We will attempt to contact the grave owner.
- If you see a warning notice or have concerns, please contact the Parish Council via the details below
Please do not remove or interfere with any temporary safety supportsThank you for your cooperation. This work is an essential safety requirement that Chigwell Parish Council is mandated to undertake. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation while these inspections are carried out.
For further information or queries, please contact:Chigwell Parish Council, Hainault Road, Chigwell, IG7 6QZ
Opening hours 9am- 4pm Monday to Friday
Telephone: 0208 501 4275