Memorials Handbook
- Services Cemeteries in New Zealand
- Maintenance Grants for Services Cemeteries
- Liaison Visits to Services Cemeteries.
- Capital Works
- Eligibility
- Provision of Ex-Service Memorials
- Interment in a Services Cemetery.
- Interment in a Public Cemetery
- Double Burials
- Cost of Interment in a Services Cemetery.
- Ordering an Ex-service Memorial
- Unveilings
- Wording and Inscriptions on Ex-Service Memorials
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Services Cemeteries in New Zealand
The establishment of Services Cemeteries in New Zealand was closely aligned to the work being carried out overseas by the Commonwealth (formerly Imperial) War Graves Commission during World War One. Land was set aside throughout New Zealand by local authorities specifically to provide graves for war dead based on the following principles:- each of the dead would be commemorated individually byname;
- the memorials would be permanent and uniform; and
- there should be no distinction made on account of military or civil rank, race or creed.
These principles still form the basis of the work carried out by Veterans' Affairs New Zealand today. The establishment of New Zealand's Services Cemeteries meant that interment was not restricted to those who died on active service as eligibility was extended to all war veterans irrespective of whether death was due to service or to natural causes. There are now 177 Services Cemeteries throughout New Zealand.
A Services Cemetery can be a separately defined area within a larger public cemetery, or a stand-alone individual Services Cemetery. A list of Services Cemeteries can be found on Information Sheet MC3/02.
The provision of ex-service memorials and inspection of Services Cemeteries was for many years carried out by the Department of Internal Affairs War Graves Office. In 1999, these responsibilities were transferred to Veterans' Affairs New Zealand.
The work of establishing and maintaining Services Cemeteries within New Zealand is a co-operative venture between Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, Local Authorities, local RSAs and other interested veterans groups. The high standard of presentation, and preservation of the special nature of Services Cemeteries, is the result of the combined efforts of all the organisations involved. Much of the work done is on a voluntary basis and is a tribute to those who give of their time and energy to maintain the standard.
Maintenance Grants for Services Cemeteries
Once a Services Cemetery has been established, the cemetery authority is paid an annual grant by Veterans' Affairs New Zealand. This grant is made as a contribution towards the maintenance costs of the cemetery.
The cemetery authority is required to maintain scale plans of the land area covered by the Services Cemetery, including any area agreed upon as being necessary for future burials, provided that it is regularly maintained. The maintenance grant is paid to the cemetery authority in September by direct credit.
If an existing cemetery is extended, the maintenance grant can be increased proportionately, to allow for the upkeep of the additional area. In such a circumstance, Veterans' Affairs New Zealand should be advised of any proposal to increase the size of an existing Services Cemetery.
The amount payable in maintenance grants can be found in Information Sheet MC4/02.
Liaison Visits to Services Cemeteries
Liaison visits by representatives from Veterans' Affairs New Zealand to Services Cemeteries are conducted on a regular basis. Representatives of the local authority, Returned Services Association and installers are advised, by letter, before the visit is scheduled to take place, so that arrangements can be made for all interested personnel to meet at the cemetery.
The visit provides an opportunity for interested parties to discuss the maintenance and appearance of the cemetery and any problems or areas of concern. It also provides an opportunity to discuss the on going development of the cemetery so that Veterans' Affairs New Zealand has a basis for determining on going capital works requirements. This is also an opportunity for either Local Authority or RSA representatives to raise other issues that may impact on current or future expenditure.
From time to time we will also make requests for information to provide background to policy issues to assist with long term planning.
Capital Works
Veterans' Affairs New Zealand has a limited capital works budget that is primarily concerned with the provision of new berms. The capital works budget is also used to pay maintenance grants. Other requests for capital works, such as landscaping and development work, including roading and pathways, trees and gardens are also considered. Ornamental features and fixtures, such as ponds are not usually funded.
Eligibility
Ex-service personnel who have had ‘operational service' in a specified war, armed conflict, peacekeeping force or other operation, and their spouses are eligible is for interment in a Services Cemetery. A list of specified operations can be in Information Sheet MC1/02.
Provision of Ex-Service Memorials
Veterans' Affairs New Zealand is notified of the death of a veteran by funeral directors and RSAs using a notification of death form. An example of the form is enclosed with the Information Sheets. Upon receipt of the notification of the death of a veteran, Veterans' Affairs New Zealand sends a letter of condolence to the next of kin along with information detailing the types of memorials available and an order form for an ex-service memorial. There is, however, no obligation for the family to choose interment in a Services Cemetery.
If a service person's death is deemed to be attributable to war service, the headstone or plaque is provided free of charge by Veterans' Affairs New Zealand. However, should the next of kin choose a private memorial, the associated costs will be reimbursed up to the equivalent value of a services memorial. The family will be asked to send a copy of the receipted account to Veterans' Affairs New Zealand for reimbursement.
A service person whose death is not deemed to be attributable to war service is entitled to a memorial plaque or headstone at the subsidised rate. The subsidised cost includes delivery and installation of the memorial in a Services Cemetery. Although the cost of an ex-services memorial is the same for both public and Services Cemeteries, there are additional costs for installation in a public cemetery.
Interment in a Services Cemetery
If interment is to be in a Services Cemetery, a standard ex-service memorial - either a plaque or a headstone, depending on the type of cemetery, is available at the subsidised rate through Veterans' Affairs New Zealand. In a Services Cemetery only the standard ex-service memorial is permitted. These are of a uniform style and there is no provision for personal messages or photographs.
Interment in a Public Cemetery
If the interment is to be in a public cemetery the next of kin can order a standard ex-service memorial, either a plaque or a headstone, at the subsidised rate. However, in some case local bylaws may restrict variations in memorials and some local authorities will not allow the standard memorials to be used.
When a veteran is interred in a public cemetery, the cost of installing is the responsibility of the next of kin. This includes the cost of delivery of the plaque, either to the next of kin or their nominated representative - usually a local monumental mason. The delivery address must be provided on the order form.
Double Burials
Double burials allow for the spouse or partner of the deceased service person to be interred in the same plot as the deceased ex serviceperson. Children or grandchildren may be interred with an eligible service person only if they are eligible for interment in a Services Cemetery in their own right, i.e. they also have qualifying war service.
The term “double burial” refers to the interment of two bodies, or one body and the cremated remains of one body, or the interment of the cremated remains of two bodies in a single plot.
For a double burial of two bodies to take place arrangements must be made before the first burial is made, to allow the grave to be dug to the correct depth. The interment of cremated remains with a burial is a simple matter and no special depth for the grave is required.
After the second interment, the existing memorial plaque can be replaced with a double plaque commemorating both deceased persons. As the plaques are made from molten bronze and cast in one piece, it is not possible to add any details to an existing plaque.
Similarly a new double headstone can be made, or a small granite addition can be added with the spouse's details inscribed on it. The granite addition will show name, date of death and age at death. For a double services memorial, where both the deceased had qualifying war service, a new headstone will be required.
Cost of Interment in a Services Cemetery
The cost of interment in a Services Cemetery can vary from place to place, as can burial and plot fees. These are the responsibility of each cemetery authority. Generally plots are provided free of charge, or at a rate far less than those charged for plots in the public part of the cemetery.
Ordering an Ex-service Memorial
Order forms for ex-service memorials can be obtained from Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, a funeral director, RSA Welfare Officer, or cemetery office. The form should be completed with as much detail as possible. Any documents to verify the service details should be photocopied and sent with the form and cheque payment to:
Veterans' Affairs New Zealand
PO Box 5146
WELLINGTON
Once Veterans' Affairs New Zealand has received the order, service details are verified. A letter is then sent to the contact provided on the application form asking them to confirm the proposed inscription. This letter will state a specific date by which Veterans' Affairs New Zealand needs to be advised if any changes are required to the inscription. One working day after that date the order is faxed to the manufacturer.
Bronze plaques are manufactured in Wellington and granite memorials are manufactured in Auckland. Once the plaque or granite memorial is manufactured, the manufacturer sends the plaque or granite memorial directly to the installer. Once the plaque or granite memorial is installed, the installer notifies Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, so that Veterans' Affairs New Zealand can notify the family that the memorial is in place.
The time frame from receipt of the order by Veterans' Affairs New Zealand to installation is 4 months.
Unveilings
If a memorial is required for an unveiling or for a particular date, it is important that this be written on the order form so that Veterans' Affairs New Zealand can ensure the memorial is completed on time. Please allow four months from the time Veterans' Affairs New Zealand receives the order until the memorial is installed at the cemetery.
If there are any issues with an order for a memorial contact the staff at Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, they will assist.
Ex-Service Memorials
The subsidised cost of memorials varies. A current price list can be in Information Sheet MC5/02. It is important when ordering a memorial that the correct choice is made, as delays can occur if the wrong memorial is ordered. If there are any doubts about which memorial is appropriate, the staff at Veterans' Affairs New Zealand are happy to assist.
Bronze Memorial Plaques
The Bronze Plaque is the most widely used memorial. It measures 37 x 22 cm and is made as a single or double memorial.
Bronze strip markers can be provided for older terrazzo headstones, with bronze inserts, to add a spouse's name, date of death and age.
Granite Memorial Plaques
The granite plaques can be made either rectangular for burials (36 x 22 cm), or square for cremations (26 x 22 cm). While granite plaques are used primarily in the Rotorua Services Cemetery, as the atmosphere has a corrosive effect on bronze plaques, they can also be used in other public cemeteries. The layout is the same as that of the bronze plaque.
Granite Headstones
The granite headstone measures 76 x 38 x 7.5 cm and contains the same information as a plaque but in a slightly different layout.
Granite additions to add a spouse's details to granite headstones are also available. These measure (35 x 8 cm).
Wording and Inscriptions on Ex-Service Memorials
In order to ensure that the principles of equality and uniformity are maintained, the inscription on each memorial is standard. The only variations are in the name and service details.
The inscription on the memorials show name; service number; rank; unit, regiment or corps; the war or wars in which there was service; any honours or awards; the date of death and age (optional), and the emblem of service.
Name
One first name can be shown in full; or a nickname may be shown in brackets after the initials. For a spouse or partner who is not a service person, the memorial will show the name, date of death and age (optional) only.
Honours/Awards
Honours or awards do not include campaign medals. A full list of authorised honours and awards that may be included on ex-service memorials can be found on Information Sheet MC6/02
Service Number
Only one service number can be shown. However, if there was service in more than one conflict, or more than one service, both conflicts or arms of service can be acknowledged, for example: 2ND NZEF, KOREA or R.N.Z.A.F., R.N.Z.N.
Rank
The highest rank attained by the serviceperson, regardless of whether it was obtained during war time or in post war service, is shown on the memorial.
Unit
For those service personnel who served in the 1939-45 war but did not proceed overseas the usual inscription is N.Z. Military Forces. This inscription is also used for those who enlisted in the Forces between 1945 and 31 December 1947.
The war-time unit or corps is shown using standard abbreviations e.g. N.Z.A., or N.Z. ENGINEERS. For infantry personnel either the particular battalion (e.g. 22 BTN) or regiment (N.Z. INFANTRY) may be shown, but not both.
Navy personnel generally use either R.N.Z.N., or R.N. If there was service on a particular ship this can be shown instead (e.g. HMS GAMBIA).
Similarly Air Force personnel will generally have the unit shown as R.N.Z.A.F. or R.A.F. Service with a particular squadron e.g. 75 SQN can be shown instead.
War
For those who served overseas during World War II in the navy or air force, the war is shown as 1939-45. However for army personnel who served overseas during World War II the war is shown as 2ND NZEF.
For post-World War II conflicts, the specific area is used e.g. KOREA, MALAYA or VIETNAM.
Date of Death and Age
While the date of death is always shown, the age at death is optional. The date of birth is NOT included in the inscription.
Personal Messages
It is NOT possible to include any personal message or inscription on a plaque or headstone.
Emblems
There are standard emblems for all arms of the services including the Merchant Navy and the Royal Marines. An illustrated list of the standard emblems available can be found on Information Sheet MC7/02. These are available at no cost.
Individual unit emblems may be included on the memorial. These incur a $20 surcharge to cover the cost of the work required to have a mould made. A list of the individual emblems we have used previously can be found on Information Sheet MC7/02. If the emblem required is not listed, please contact Veterans' Affairs New Zealand on freephone 0800 483 8372.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for true “war graves” – that is the graves of those service personnel who died during, or shortly after, World Wars One and Two, both overseas and in New Zealand. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage are the New Zealand agents for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and enquiries regarding true war graves should be made directly to the Ministry:
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage P O Box 5364 WELLINGTON Telephone (04) 499 4229
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, including the database of the location of World War One and World War Two war graves, can be found at: http://www.cwgc.org.