Memorial Make Safe

Why do we need to make our memorials Safe?

To meet the guidelines written by the Ministry of Justice and the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management, if you have memorials which are over 625mm, you should have a Memorial Safety Testing programme in place.  As part of this programme, you may identify memorials which are a risk to members of staff and members of the public.  It is important that once a memorial has been identified as unsafe that it is made safe as soon as possible.  Dependent on your Memorial Safety policy will decide on how to handle your unsafe memorials.  Memorials which have been identified as unsafe, should be signed and banded to notify other people to take care in the area.  Our range of memorial safety signage and banding can be
found below:

How quick do we need to act to an unsafe memorial?

When conducting Memorial Testing, the tester should be a competent person with a knowledge of the ground conditions, the area in which the memorial is located as well as an understanding of how the memorial was made and anchored to the ground.  Testers are consistently completing a dynamic risk assessment as they go about their testing.  If a memorial was found to be at risk of an imminent collapse, thereby increasing the risk of harm to themselves and to members of the public, they would need to take immediate action. 

Where a Memorial has been identified as unsafe but is not at risk of immediate collapse, then you could consider alternative make safe options such as staking and banding, socketing or repair. Memsafe’s memorial make safe service provides a professional, compliant, and respectful solution for councils and cemetery managers needing to secure unsafe memorials.

How do we record our testing?

Whether you choose to record your testing and findings manually or use a digital system is your personal preference.  Our Memsafe memorial programme is recorded using our own app and each intervention is recorded, photographed and documented digitally, including GPS location.  This ensures full traceability for audit purposes and peace of mind that every action taken meets your statutory duty of care.

How can Memsafe support your Memorial Testing Programme?

Here at Memsafe, we're dedicated to helping keep cemeteries and churchyards safe, compliant and cared for with dignity.  Our memorial management services include inspection and testing, make safe works and repair and re-instatement.  Our team are full qualified to support you in all aspects of these works and will show respect for both the memorials and the families they represent.  Whether you have an in-house testing team and just require support with your more complex memorials, or whether you would like to hand over the entire project into the hands of our memorial management services team, we have the solutions to help you.

“Supporting safe, compliant, and well-maintained cemeteries.”

All services are carried out in accordance with national standards, including BS 8415 and ICCM guidance, and with the utmost respect for the memorials and those they commemorate.  With clear reporting, full traceability, and a commitment to professionalism - we can help you to manage your cemetery safely and responsibly, providing reassurance to both your organisation and the communities you serve.

Our trained and experienced team are able to carry out comprehensive visual and physical inspections using approved, non-invasive testing methods. We will identify any potential safety risks, provide clear documentation of findings, and offer expert recommendations for any necessary remedial work.  We understand the sensitivities involved in managing memorial safety and always operate with professionalism, respect, and minimal disruption to visitors and families.

Memsafe’s service includes:

  • Immediate response to unsafe or unstable memorials
  • Temporary or permanent make-safe solutions
  • Work carried out to BS 8415 and ICCM standards
  • Clear documentation and photographic reporting
  • Respectful handling of memorials at all times

Some of our Memorial Make Safe Products

With specialist equipment being added to the fleet all the time, should you require any advice or help in this field of works please contact us.