Headstones and Plaques

Families may choose to install a memorial or plaque to honour their loved one. Nelson City Council oversees all memorial installations to ensure they are safe, durable, and consistent with the character of each cemetery.

Memorial requirements vary across different areas of the cemetery, as outlined in the Urban Environments Bylaw – Standards for the Erection of Memorials, Headstones or Other Structures (2015). Please click here for the Council Standards for the Erection of Memorials, Headstones and Other Structures (which is referenced in Schedule C of the Urban Environments Bylaw).

Qualified local stonemasons are familiar with these requirements and will work directly with the Sexton to ensure that any proposed memorial meets the standards for the specific plot and cemetery area. They also typically submit the Headstone and Plaque Application to Council on behalf of the family and can advise on memorial design options and installation requirements. Families can discuss their plans directly with their chosen stonemason, or, if they have general questions, they are welcome to contact Nelson City Council’s Customer Services team to liaise with the Sexton.

Before a memorial can be constructed or installed, the applicant must hold an Exclusive Right of Burial for the plot. Proof of this right must be provided with the application. If families are unsure whether they hold the Exclusive Right of Burial, burial records can be checked using the Cemetery Records Search, or records can be requested by emailing interments@ncc.govt.nz.

For information on purchasing an Exclusive Right of Burial, please refer to our plot purchase information page.

The responsibility for the provision and ongoing maintenance of a memorial remains with the family or the purchaser of the plot. This includes caring for the memorial over time and arranging repairs if it becomes damaged or unstable. Council may require maintenance or remedial work if a memorial is considered unsafe.