FOI – Cemetery Staff Conduct and Bereavement Service Procedures
Case reference FOI2026/00051
Received 3 September 2026
Published 1 October 2026
Request
Response
1. Staff conduct and funeral etiquette
Please provide copies of any current policies, procedures, guidance documents, training materials or operational instructions relating to:
* expected conduct of cemetery staff during burial services;
* professional behaviour, discretion and sensitivity around mourners;
* maintaining dignity during funeral or committal services;
* interaction between cemetery staff and bereaved families during burial ceremonies;
* expectations regarding staff presence, visibility or positioning during burial services.
None written
2. Staff presence and positioning during burial services
Please confirm whether cemetery staff are expected to remain present at the graveside throughout the duration of a burial service.
If staff are required to remain present, please provide any written guidance or procedures relating to:
* where cemetery staff should position themselves during a burial service;
* whether staff are expected to remain visible to mourners throughout the service;
* whether staff are expected to maintain a particular distance from mourners where practicable;
* avoiding unnecessary intrusion into the area occupied by mourners during the funeral or committal service, where operational requirements allow.
If no such written guidance exists, please confirm this.
No written guidance except mention of mourners watching backfill in Safe System of work
Comital service is attended by either the Cemeteries Manager or Assistant Cemeteries Manager who will be with the bearers to check the coffin plate on arrival at the cemetery or chapel. If the Funeral Director needs assistance such as removal of putlogs then they will be positioned at the graveside with the bearers and will leave the graveside after the coffin is lowered into the grave, they will stand with the bearers about three rows away but always with eye contact with the Funeral Director in case needed.
The grave digging team (usually 2 people) will be several grave rows away remaining in eye contact with the (Assistant) Cemeteries Manager in case needed.
These positions will vary depending on the needs of the service eg own backfilling, token backfilling and watching the backfilling or if a disturbance is expected between mourners
The grave digging team will also act as traffic marshals for mourners parking on site prior to the committal service
3. Training provided to cemetery staff
Please provide details of any training provided to cemetery staff which covers:
* funeral etiquette;
* bereavement awareness;
* communication with mourners;
* sensitivity and professionalism during burial services;
* understanding the emotional impact of staff actions and positioning during funerals.
Please provide copies of any relevant training materials where available.
No written training, all training is verbal, one to one on site before and at funerals
4. Risk assessments and operational requirements
Please provide copies of any risk assessments, method statements or operational assessments which address:
* the requirement for cemetery staff to remain present during burial services;
* the requirement for staff to remain visible to mourners;
* how staff presence is balanced against the privacy and dignity of bereaved families.
Safe Systems of Work - attached
5. Use of external guidance
Please confirm whether your authority uses guidance, standards or training materials produced by external organisations, including but not limited to the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), in relation to staff conduct during burial services.
If applicable, please provide details of:
* the guidance or training used;
* whether it is mandatory or advisory;
* whether it specifically addresses dignity, discretion, sensitivity or conduct around mourners.
When needed guidance etc is sought form ICCM
Documents
This is Oxford Direct Services' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.