Burial Information

Different way to be laid to rest

Local Authority Cemeteries

Anyone can be buried in a Local Authority cemetery. Local Authorities allow the purchase of the Exclusive Right of Burial in a grave, normally for a period of between 25 and 100 years. The fees involved include one for the purchase of the grave, called the Exclusive Right of Burial, and one for the interment. This can vary greatly for someone who did not live in the local district. If a Common grave is required there is no fee for Exclusive Right of Burial. The Local Authority can open these graves at any time for burial of an unrelated person and normally no form of memorial can be erected.

Most Cemeteries are divided into sections where different types and sizes of memorials are permitted:

  • Lawn Section
    A headstone and base, or headstone only design is allowed. Kerb stone memorials are not permitted. Some Churchyards have specific Cremated Remains plots and Lawn sections. Before proceeding with any memorial work we always write to the Minister for permission. There is normally a fee payable to the Church for this.
  • Traditional Section
    Full memorials or kerb set designs are permitted and allows a lot more flexibility than a lawn section, leading to a greater expression of memorial design.
  • Cremated Remains Section
    These are becoming more widely available and provide families with a place in which to remember their loved ones.

Churchyards

Burial in a Churchyard is open to all members of the parish who have been baptised, however space for new burials is becoming very limited in urban areas. Although memorials are governed by strict guidelines laid down by the Diocese it is normally left to the Incumbent (Minister) of the Churchyard to decide what is acceptable and interpretation of these guidelines differs widely. For this reason we suggest that you check with us as to what will and will not be allowed before you make a decision.

Privately Owned Cemeteries

Those run commercially normally operate in much the same way as those run by Local Authorities. The fees are generally higher but distinctions for non-residents seldom apply. Burial grounds for specific religions or denominations usually occur only in larger urban areas. Private burial grounds are normally found within large family owned country estates.