Closed Churchyards

When will we take over the maintenance of closed churchyards?

We take over the maintenance of closed churchyards when we receive a written request from the Parish Council. This is usually when the Parochial Church Council decides to end its maintenance responsibility in accordance with the statutory procedure. We will then make annual checks on the safety and stability of the memorials, boundaries and paths within the churchyard.

How many closed churchyards do we maintain?

We currently maintain 13 closed churchyards that are no longer used for burial in Westmorland and Furness.

The churchyards we maintain are:

• All Saints - Orton
• Christchurch - Penrith
• Matterdale (Old) Churchyard - Matterdale
• St Andrew's - Penrith
• St Augustine's - Alston
• St Lawrence's - Appleby in Westmorland
• St Lawrence's - Crosby Ravensworth
• St Laurence's - Morland
• St Michael's - Appleby in Westmorland
• St Michael's - Shap
• St Patrick's - Bampton
• St Peter's - Great Asby
• St Peter's - Langwathby