St. Giles Churchyard

 

ST GILES CHURCH SOUTH MYMMS

St. Giles South Mymms Churchyard is managed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) in a manner appropriate to a country churchyard and the ethos of the Living Churchyard Scheme.

This scheme promotes the management of churchyards in a wildlife-friendly way while being sensitive to the needs of all the users, and in particular to its primary function as a resting place for

After problems over the last few years finding new grave spaces in the churchyard at St Giles, the PCC have reluctantly and unavoidably decided  that the churchyard is now effectively full, and there can be no more  new burials permitted. The burial of ashes (both in the plot at the west end by the tower and in existing graves in the rest of the churchyard) can still take place for the time being. Also reopening of an existing grave may be possible depending on the depth available.

To establish if there is space for a coffin, undertakers use a long probe and as recent requests for burials have come in, it has become apparent that, even in what appear to be empty plots, there is simply no room. Not all graves are marked with memorial stones, due to the extra costs involved or families’ personal choice not to have one. Therefore probing is the only way to confirm if a space is actually free as far as it is possible to ascertain without actually reopening the ground. Furthermore, the churchyard has some 125 mature trees, so in spaces nearby, their root systems make digging a proper grave impossible.

The PCC will shortly start the formal process to declare the churchyard closed for further burials. This is sad, but necessary. Until now anyone resident in the village, of whatever faith or none, has had the right to be interred here. Most local Funeral Directors will be able to advise what alternative places are available.

The Churchwardens, St. Giles South Mymms

dead and a contemplative place for their friends and relatives.

The churchyard has an unusually high density of trees, including native British specimens as well as long standing immigrants and exotic trees planted in recent years. Except where shade is extreme, most areas of the churchyard support grassland rich in flora [including a county rarity], and contain a highly diverse ecology.

The churchyard contains a number of historically interesting and sizeable monuments, including a Mausoleum (which is privately owned, and not the responsibility of the PCC).

A path connects the Church School to the Church from the southern boundary of the churchyard. The state of this path, as well as of that running from the St Albans Road to Blanche Lane (a designated Right of Way, supported by a grant from Hertsmere Borough Council) must be maintained in good order.

A schematic plan of the churchyard showing the different areas accompanies this management plan, together with an aerial view.

A PLAN OF GRAVES IN ST. GILES CHURCHYARD

Click on the link below to see if the family name you want is listed in any of the areas A-L on the plan. These links are currently being built, and are not complete (16th September 2015)

St. Giles Churchyard Names on Graves

St. Giles Churchyard Names AB with Areas

Then click on one of the links below to see where the grave is situated on the plans in areas A-L.

St. Giles Churchyard Plan Areas A-F PP

St. Giles Churchyard Plan Areas G-L PP

POLICY ON BURIALS IN THE CHURCHYARD

After problems over the last few years finding new grave spaces in the churchyard at St Giles, the PCC have reluctantly and unavoidably decided  that the churchyard is now effectively full, and there can be no more  new burials permitted. The burial of ashes (both in the plot at the west end by the tower and in existing graves in the rest of the churchyard) can still take place for the time being. Also reopening of an existing grave may be possible depending on the depth available.

To establish if there is space for a coffin, undertakers use a long probe and as recent requests for burials have come in, it has become apparent that, even in what appear to be empty plots, there is simply no room. Not all graves are marked with memorial stones, due to the extra costs involved or families’ personal choice not to have one. Therefore probing is the only way to confirm if a space is actually free as far as it is possible to ascertain without actually reopening the ground. Furthermore, the churchyard has some 125 mature trees, so in spaces nearby, their root systems make digging a proper grave impossible.

The PCC will shortly start the formal process to declare the churchyard closed for further burials. This is sad, but necessary. Until now anyone resident in the village, of whatever faith or none, has had the right to be interred here. Most local Funeral Directors will be able to advise what alternative places are available.

The Churchwardens, St. Giles South Mymms, April 2024