Best Practice
Please be aware all burial authorities enough is enough, no more joint failures.
The problem
When cement paste is being used between structural connections over a period of time, the cement becomes brittle and cracks. The joint then becomes a potential safety risk and the grave owner ends up with a wobbly headstone being able to rotate on the ground anchor or the worst case scenario could become detached from the ground anchor.
The solution
The British Standard BS 8145/2018 in order to rectify this problem and introduced within in the standard section 5.1 general- cement mortar or adhesives shall not be the soul means used for the bonding of structural connections.
Meaning structural connections shall be either dowelled or bolted, this will then prevent the base becoming detached from the ground anchor.
BRAMM BLUE BOOK improving standards
Memorial designs and construction considerations. In all cases the base must be fixed to the foundation using a recognised and accredited memorial anchorage system. Compliant dowels or a recognised locking system.
NAMM code of working practice section 7/13
A memorial constructed in compliance with code of working practice with a ground anchor when subjected to an undue force may result in the joint between the foundation and the base breaking the joint may open but the memorial will lock on the anchor and remain completely safe.
This is a controversial statement, even with a moderate force the joint could break and if the whole size is not absolutely precise, push from the back can become detached from the ground anchor.
BS8415/2018 structural connections shall be either dowelled or bolted.