New guidelines for cemetery authorities on testing the safety of memorials expected in November were finally published this month (January) after NSS had gone to press. They include all that the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) were asking for in terms of cemetery authorities being recommended to stop toppling and staking memorials.

As most people's decisions for a memorial are based on what they see in cemeteries, NAMM believe seeing lots of memorials lying flat or supported by stakes and carrying messages that they are dangerous must have harmed sales of stone memorials. 

The new guidelines were drawn up by the Health & Safety Executive and published by the Ministry of Justice.

For a PDF of the guidelines click here