Rules of the Catholic Cemeteries

CHAPTER 5. ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF GRAVESTONES AND OTHER WORKS

20. (a) A recognized representative who intends to erect or maintain a gravestone for the deceased or carry out any other works should first obtain formal approval from the Superintendent by producing to him, either in person or through an appointed approved contractor, the following documents:
(i) The official receipt (or the replacement receipt) of the burial ground allocated to the deceased for the application for a work permit or the work permit issued by the Catholic Cemetery Office; and
(ii)(a) For works relating to gravestone- two copies of the proposed design of the gravestone with the method statement, construction details, plan and complete information in respect of the design, measurements, materials to be used and the text to be engraved; or
(ii)(b) For other works- two copies of the method statement, construction details, plan and complete information in respect of the works proposed; and (iii) Payment of the deposit as prescribed in Schedule II of these Rules.
A list of approved contractors for works in the Catholic Cemetery is obtainable from all the Catholic Cemetery Offices.
(b) Works should not commence until formal approval has been obtained. (c) Works should be completed within 60 calendar days from the date of the formal approval. If for any reason the works are not completed within the prescribed period, the appointed approved contractor should apply to the Superintendent for an extension of the permit and pay an additional prescribed deposit. The deposit previously paid shall be forfeited in full.
(d) Upon completion of work, the appointed approved contractor should notify the Cemetery Supervisor and the contracting party to inspect the work. If the work is confirmed to be completed to the satisfaction of the Superintendent or his representative and to that of the contracting party, the appointed approved contractor may apply for refund of the deposit from the Catholic Cemetery Office by producing the original deposit receipt and the work permit for cancellation.
(e) If the appointed approved contractor causes any direct or indirect damage to the Catholic Cemetery, or any grave in the course of the work, or if he is forced to dismantle and/or to demolish a gravestone or other works constructed by him due to his non-compliance with the contract or with the approved design or upon completion of the work, he has not cleared away the debris left behind, and in all of these cases, the Superintendent reserves the right to forfeit the deposit so far received from the appointed approved contractor and to demand the appointed approved contractor to indemnify the Diocese and to keep the Diocese indemnified until full settlement of the loss and damages caused by the incident.

21. The design of all gravestones, sculptures, statues, vases and other commemorative or decorative objects shall be approved by the Superintendent at his absolute sole discretion. When erecting a gravestone, the following measurements and criteria should be observed:
(a) Coffin burial lots: The dimensions of the platform slab shall not exceed 900 mm in width, 1800 mm in length and the height measuring from ground to top of gravestone shall not exceed 1500 mm.
(b) Urn burial lots: The dimensions of the platform slab shall not exceed 600 mm in width, 900 mm in length and the height measuring from ground to top of gravestone shall not exceed 1200 mm.
(c) Gravestone design: A gravestone shall be designed so that no water can accumulate on it. The grave number and lot number assigned to the grave should be clearly engraved on a prominent surface for easy identification.

22. All gravestones, sculptures, statues, vases, niche sealing slabs, monuments, headstones, tablets, ornaments, trees, shrubs, ornamental plants and any other commemorative or decorative objects are set up, placed or erected at the sole risk of the owners of these objects. The owners of these objects shall at all times be held liable to and shall fully indemnify the Diocese against all claims, demands, actions and legal proceedings whatsoever made upon the Diocese in respect of any loss or damage suffered by the Diocese or any person whomsoever resulting from the collapse, damage or otherwise of these objects due to accident or otherwise whether or not caused by the negligence of the owners of these objects. The Diocese shall also not be held responsible nor be held liable for the loss or damage of these objects due to natural disaster, landslip, collapse and damage of retaining walls, subsidence of land, fallen trees, burglary, vandalism, civil commotion or from any causes whatsoever.