The Funerary Monuments Group

The Funerary Monuments Group was formed by members of the NFCF with experience in conservation of cemeteries with the role of advising and supporting newly established groups or small groups lacking the experience of operating in larger established cemetery groups. The group also is able to liaise with national conservation agencies such as English Heritage.

It was decided at a meeting in January 2010 to merge the administration of the Graves at Risk Register with the functions of the FMG group which includes cemetery safety, conservation of graves and advising on the Listing of graves.

The FMG welcomes enquiries from NFCF Members on the care of graves of architectural or artistic importance or of historical importance associated with a famous or locally well known personage or event such as a battle or disaster.

The Graves at Risk Register application form incorporates the ability to recommend a grave for Listing. Members of the FMG are willing to arrange visits to a cemetery to advise on restoration or conservation. Copies of entries on the Register will be forwarded to cemetery owners and to the national conservation agency to alert them of our concern.

Members

Chair Robert Stephenson [Kensal Green and Brompton] Secretary John Avery [Southampton, Arnos Vale, Brompton, Northwood [IOW]] Richard Bell [Hyde Park, Doncaster] Don Bianco [independent adviser] and Signe Hoffos [Kensal Green]

September 2010 The FMG group advised the NFCF committee that we should submit a case to central government with its current Big Society policy to encourage and support community groups with a view to funding some of the activities undertaken by the volunteers in the Friends of Cemeteries groups. We will contact each member to search out their local needs in order than a co-ordinated case may then be submitted.