23/02/2024
The care of graves in aging cemeteries is a somewhat vexed one, with a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation promulgated on social media platforms. The recent post on Genealogy New Zealand and Beyond is an example of both good information, and some of the many misunderstandings which circulate in the genealogy world. The following is an attempt to address some of those points, based on many years' experience taking guided people on guided tours at Karori Cemetery, and multiple conversations with the cemetery management and others who know more about cemetery management than I do.
Karori Cemetery is owned and managed by WCC. The plots within the cemetery belong to the family who purchased the plot, and are private property. The care and maintenance of any structures on the plot is therefore the responsibility of that family. The WCC is only able to intervene and take corrective action when there is a clear safety issue, i.e. a monument may topple and either damage other monuments or people in the cemetery at the time.
WCC operates a permit system as a means of recording activity on any plot, for the many reasons put forward in the response to the post in Genealogy New Zealand and Beyond. There is no payment required for a permit. It is in the interest therefore of anyone with an interest in a family plot to apply for a permit, using the online form on the WCC database. It is most unlikely the permit would be disallowed, unless the work proposed is likely to have significant structural aspects, in which case it should anyway be handled by a professional stone/monumental mason (who would apply for a permit on behalf of their customer).
The online permit form on the WCC website is designed to be used by professional stone/monumental masons. It is not relevant for general cleaning, w**ding, cleaning headstones etc by private individuals who wish to tidy a family plot. This has been discussed with Karori cemetery management on a number of occasions, on the basis that a modified form, to meet the needs of non-professionals, and to support and encourage those with an interest in doing some general cleaning and tidying, to feel comfortable in making a permit application. There has been no change in the WCC presentation of permit requirements as a result of these discussions. Some variations have been made in permit application process terms for the Friends of Karori Cemetery who clean and tidy plots on a regular and ongoing basis, primarily in order to reduce the number of permits which need to be issued for each working bee.
Applying for a permit is not an onerous process, and a permit provides some level of safeguard for both the plot owners, and cemetery management. Protesting against the need to do so undermines this safety net, and encourages interventions on plots which may be inappropriate and untoward.
The permit requirements which apply at Karori Cemetery do not necessarily apply at all or any other cemetery elsewhere in NZ.
Bolton Street Cemetery has very strict rules about all interventions and these are managed by the Friends of Bolton Street Cemetery, in association with WCC (Botanic Gardens, not Karori Cemetery).
Rules and guidelines about what is and isn't acceptable in cemeteries for care and maintenance of graves, headstones, plots, structures, monuments etc. vary from place to place but some general principles apply i.e
do less not more;
do only what is necessary;
use only water and soft brushes if cleaning is essential;
employ a professional for any restoration, relettering, refixing of monuments, etc.
This information is provided in good faith and is intended to clarify and set out the basis on which permits are required at Karori Cemetery (and maybe some others in NZ).
(Photos are of a headstone recently cleaned at Bolton Street Cemetery, during a working bee)
