The maximum height is being raised from 3ft to 4ft 6ins, as long as foundations or ground anchors are used.

And, in response to increasing demand and the use of more modern grass mowers, kerbs on memorials will be allowed for the first time.

Other changes include provision for minority faiths, larger cremation plots, and new standardised opening and closing times. Previously many cemeteries worked on a 'dawn till dusk' system.

The new cemetery regulations were agreed by Barnsley Council's ruling cabinet following a review.

A council spokesman said: "Members were informed the cemetery regulations were in excess of 20 years old and had become out of date.

"They did not reflect society's current needs, modern practices and changes that have taken place regarding safety measures, particularly in respect of memorials.

"Some of the content was ambiguous or lacked clarity so there was an opportunity to revise the regulations to make the content more relevant to current ways of working and simpler for people to understand."

The review came after consultation with stone masons, funeral directors and the borough secretary Andrew Frosdick, he added.

The new regulations set down in writing for the first time that spoil from digging a grave can be placed on an adjacent grave to allow a funeral to take place. This was normal practice but did not appear in former regulations.

The spokesman said: "Any excavated soil is not placed in physical contact with the grave but is placed on a structure that carries the spoil over the grave. The grave itself is covered to ensure no damage or defacement occurs.

"Temporary markers for new graves are now permitted for two years after the funeral, but the council has the authority to remove them after that time.

"Raft foundations will be provided where ground conditions allow and headstones will be mounted on them."

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