The Vale Cemetery extension
Location
In August 2024, we expanded The Vale into land adjacent to the existing cemetery, also situated in Stopsley, to enable the creation of an additional 7,000 grave plots. All new graves are added to the extension site. The original Vale cemetery site is now closed for burials into new graves.
This beautiful site is situated on green belt land, where we want to retain the openness of the site and maintain the tranquillity of the area. Download the site plan below.
Site information
This page will tell you about facilities and access to the site, incuding
- a footpath enabling access to the extension from the main cemetery
- a service road for hearses
- access for dogs: visitors can bring their dogs to the cemetery provided:
- they are leashed at all times
- their waste must be cleaned up and disposed of appropriately
Plans and standards for individual plots
The plans and standards for individual plots at the new site are very similar to those already in place at the current cemetery, including:
- full kerbset – either 1, 2, or 3 tier filled with soil or grass
- kerbs, which create a rectangular border around the grave, can be constructed from marble or granite
- for example - the middle section of the grave must remain soil to help with drainage and prevent flooding
- flowers are permitted in the middle soil section, but their height shouldn’t be greater than the headstone to maintain the open space feel of a cemetery
- standard sized headstone - 39" high, 30" wide, 18" deep
- earth mounds (mass of earth placed over a grave) with wooden surrounds
- this clearly defines a grave plot - wooden surrounds can be used as an alternative to kerbing for graves that have recently had a burial
- personal items within the grave plot – not to be higher than the standard size headstone
- loan chairs will be available on-site – free of charge
- underground chambers (concrete chambers that are placed in the ground to house coffins) are permitted
- shrouds (material used to wrap a body when a coffin is not used) are permitted
Regulations
To ensure the extension of The Vale cemetery remains a dignified place for all families at each resting place, we will be implementing the following regulations. These regulations are in relation to the extension of The Vale Cemetery only:
- no encroachment outside of the designated plot - that means no personal tributes that cross boundaries onto:
- an adjacent grave space
- the walkway space between graves
- no items that could contribute to flood risk, such as:
- artificial grass
- paving slabs or tiles
- stones
- shingle filled inside kerbsets
- no items that could cause a health or safety risk.
- planting of trees or bushes is not allowed as their roots will eventually damage graves
- permanent placement of seating or chairs is not permitted - loan chairs are available to use on site, free of charge
Parking
Disabled parking is available at the site but able bodied people will be required to park in the site’s existing car park.
Between the existing and new site, there is a footpath across the road.
There is also a service road for the hearses.
Our priority has been to maximise the number of burial plots we can host within the site. If we had built a car park for the extension, it would result in the loss of up to 500 grave spaces and have a detrimental effect on the environment.