We are sorry that you have to make an enquiry about arranging a funeral.

We hope that we can support you in whatever way is possible through this difficult time.

We are able to support you with a service in Church, a burial at the graveside or a celebration of life service with the burial taking place elsewhere. We can also provide a member of our Ministry Team to lead a service at a crematorium and/or to conduct burials at other burial sites. If you would like to talk to someone about having a funeral at All Saints Ecclesall then the best way to do this is to speak with our Church Administrator in the office. We have very strong links with local funeral directors and hope to be able to provide you with a service the feels right for your loved one.

Important Information about All Saints Churchyard

This churchyard is a very important part of All Saints for many families in our community, for it is the final resting place for loved ones. This has been the case for over two centuries. We seek to maintain the churchyard to a high standard so that bereaved families can visit graves and enjoy the peace and beauty of this very special place.

All Saints is fortunate in having a nine acre churchyard that teems with history, provides a pleasant green space for the area and is, of course, a place sacred to the memory of those who have passed away. As a Church, we are concerned that we keep it and use it in a way that respects its past, is beneficial in the present and will ensure its continuance into the future.

The legal ownership of the Churchyard is vested in the Vicar, who acts on behalf of the Bishop of Sheffield. He shares the responsibility for the care of the Churchyard with the Parochial Church Council of All Saints.

Who can be buried in the churchyard?

The churchyard is primarily for those who live in the parish of Ecclesall, for those who are on All Saints Church’s Electoral Roll and, of course, sometimes for those who have historic links with the parish. We have to be assured that individuals have what is called a ‘qualifying connection’, which is set by the Church of England. Dying in the parish, for example at St Luke’s Hospice, also counts as a qualifying connection.

If your loved one has been cremated, you can have the ashes interred in your existing family grave. Alternatively, we have a lovely area near the top of the churchyard where you can have the ashes buried in a half plot. There will also be space for further interments in the same grave should the need arise. The spot can be marked with a small headstone with an appropriate inscription or alternatively with a simple marker stone. There is also a convenient bench close by to offer the opportunity for people to linger and reflect.

Are there regulations governing inscriptions, headstones and memorials?

Yes. Our main purpose in this is to maintain the churchyard in a way which is pleasing to all who use it . Since the churchyard is so large, we also wish to help the volunteers who keep it by making it possible for them to do their work. There are also rules regarding monuments in churchyards which are set by the Sheffield Diocesan Chancellor, and by which we have to abide. We are unable to approve anything that is outside these rules. The current rules can be found below.

In addition to these rules set by the Sheffield Diocese our own rules state that the top of new headstones must be no higher than 3ft from the ground, and no more than 3” thick. They must be stone or granite. Inscriptions should be simple and dignified.

All applications for memorials and headstones must be submitted to the Vicar for approval. Contact the church administrator for more information about this.

What may I put on a family grave?

Wreaths or cut flowers can, of course, be placed on graves.

Some headstones incorporate a metal flower vase. Older graves often have areas for planting bulbs or small annual plants.

In the newer part of the graveyard, our main concern is to ensure easy access for mowing.

Consequently, we do not allow the creation of gardens in this area. 3-4 flower pots can be placed within the footprint of the headstone. These cannot be placed on the grave itself as it restricts access for mowing and damages the grass.  

We have a responsibility to keep the churchyard well maintained, and so we reserve the right to remove flowers, wreaths once they have died.

We do not allow anything else apart from flowers to be placed on graves, this includes QR codes or photos. This is so that we can be fair and consistent with everyone and this is something that we need families to understand before they purchase* a plot or have someone interred in our churchyard.

Families, especially in the case of the death of a child, sometimes wish to place other items on the grave. This is discouraged: the items may be stolen or vandalised, and their deterioration can become a source of distress. In any event, they should be removed not later than six months after the burial. Please do not be offended if those caring for the churchyard remove items that have become weather-beaten and worn.

(* The land remains the property of the Church, ownership does not transfer to the family. The fee is for the use of the space to inter remains.)

How long do I need to wait before I can put a memorial on the grave?

We recommend that you wait 6 months after a burial, or 3 months after the interment of ashes before applying for a memorial stone. During this time we ask that you do not put anything on the soil, including temporary monuments and fences. This will allow the ground to settle properly and grass to grow evenly. We know that this can be a difficult period as you grieve, but leaving the grave will ensure that it returns to it’s original condition, and does not distract from the simplicity of the churchyard.

How do I apply for a memorial stone?

Once you are ready to have a memorial stone erected on the plot you will need to contact a stonemason to discuss your needs. They will act as the agent and will fill in the necessary paperwork for us to receive. Memorials cannot be installed without the permission of the Vicar who has responsibility for the churchyard. We recommend that your design is a simple as possible, and is in keeping with the other memorials around it. If we feel that your application does not meet our strict guidelines we will have to turn it down. Please talk to us if you would like any information about this.

Find out more...

Please contact the our Administrator, Ruth Ling, for more information.

Useful links...

The Church of England - Funerals