Cemeteries
Information on Cemeteries
The cemetery is open to the public from 8 am until dusk. Pedestrian gates will be unlocked at all times. Special arrangements may be made by application to the cemetery’s officer.
Pedestrian access is permitted outside of these times on evenings and weekends.
The cemetery gates will be closed when funerals are taking place. Staff will notify visitors to the cemeteries by placing a sign on the gates at least 24 hours beforehand. We ask that residents respect this so family members are able to attend their loved one’s final journey whilst maintaining social distancing and limiting the visitors to the cemetery. Any visitors in the cemetery will be asked to leave 30 minutes prior to any services taking place.
When visiting the cemetery, the public are requested to adhere to current social distancing rules and hand washing and sanitising advice.
Guidance for funerals
Public Health England (PHE) has issued further guidance for those managing or organising funerals during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance aims to ensure that bereaved people are treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect, while protecting individuals, communities and those in the funeral industry from the risk of infection.
The advice includes:
- those who have symptoms of coronavirus COVID-19 must not attend and must stay at home
- observing social distancing guidance across all aspects of attending a funeral
- people who are extremely clinically vulnerable (shielded) can attend with measures put in place to reduce their risk
- people self-isolating because someone in their household is ill may attend if they do not have symptoms themselves
Great Aycliffe Town Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of Stephenson Way Cemetery and West Cemetery.
The Council is keen to ensure that the needs of mourners and visitors to the cemeteries are catered for as sympathetically as possible.
Serious consideration has been given to the immediate and long term needs of mourners and visitors and also to the day to day and long term management and maintenance implications for the sites. Detailed rules and regulations have been prepared following consultation with the public, funeral directors and members of the clergy. View our Cemetery Regulations booklet here: Cemetery Regulations 2020
