Caring for Graves - Grave Tidy Services

caring-for-gravesFrom the 1960s for around 50 years this 45-acre cemetery was allowed to fall into serious disrepair. Whilst brambles and ivy took root on the ground, sycamore and ash saplings were allowed to grow densely often taking root in graves. Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust offer a Grave Tidy Service providing an access route to the grave, clearing the grave and keeping it tidy ensuring that the work is carried out without damage to the grave and without harming the wildlife.  Families are responsible for the maintenance of the grave itself.  Read more about the service on offer below or arrange a Grave Tidy service now.

Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust has a well developed Management Plan for the site which not only carried out clearance in rotation round the site to protect the wildlife and rare breeds of insects, wild flowers and plants which have also made Arnos Vale their home over the years, but also to tidy and provide access to family graves.

Only careful removal of ivy where appropriate is permitted as pulling ivy and bramble off graves can cause permanent damage to the grave tearing off lettering, removing sheets of the surface of the stone or causing the grave to collapse. Our Estate Manger is happy to assess the best clearance method and conservation of a grave and advise on any protected plants or wildlife in the immediate vicinity. Our Ivy Policy explains our approach to ivy removal.

We offer a Grave Tidy Service which includes opening up an access route to the grave and provides regular tidying throughout the year.   We also invite you to think about setting up an endowment fund which contributes to the general maintenance of the cemetery overall.   This can be gift aided if the giver is eligible which adds to the contribution being made.

Initial ClearanceFS_15.Mar.10_10
The initial clearance of the grave and an access route to it is charged at £25 per hour of work. Our Estate Manger is happy to view the grave provide a quotation and recommendations for work at the outset.

All grave tidy contracts are for 12 months and can be renewed each year or purchased for a number of years in advance.  Please note that bramble clearance may only be possible outside the bird nesting season from October to February each year.

Standard Grave Tidy Package: £50 per annum

This service provides 6 visits per annum:

  • Post Christmas tidy - Jan/Feb
  • Spring tidy - March/April
  • Summer clearance - Four visits from May to Sept.

Frequent Grave Tidy Package: £70 per annum

This service provides 9 visits per annum:

  • February
  • Monthly from April to October
  • November

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To arrange any Grave Tidy service please either:

  • Complete the online form
  • Contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Download, print, complete and return the Cut and Tidy form.
Grave Tidy Form
pdfDownload Here [61 Kb]

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Families are responsible for the maintenance of the grave itself. However, we can offer advice and obtain a quotation for the conservation or restoration of the grave from one of the stone masons who work with us at the Cemetery.