Local Authority Cemeteries
 Anyone
can be buried in a Local Authority cemetery, which
will sometimes be divided into sections for different
faiths and those of no faith. Local Authorities
allow the purchase of the Exclusive Right of Burial
in a grave, normally for a period of between 25
and 100 years.
Local Authorities fix their own schedule of fees.
There is one for the purchase of the grave, called
the Exclusive Right of Burial, and one for the
interment. This is often trebled in the case of
anyone who did not live in the borough. 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 are divided into sections in which 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.
Traditional Section - full memorials or kerb
set designs are permitted. This does not prevent
a client having a smaller memorial such as a
vase, tablet or headstone & base design.
It allows a lot more flexibility than a lawn
section and leads to a greater expression of
memorial design.
Children's Section - memorials are often scaled
down versions of larger designs.
Cremated Remains Section - these are becoming
more widely available and give families a place
in which to remember their loved ones - a focus
for their grief.
Most Cemeteries have rules regarding the erection
of memorials. Before any memorial work can proceed
the Registered owner of the grave must usually sign
an application form showing the material, dimensions,
design and inscription desired. So long as these
conform to the regulations we would be issued with
a permit to carry out the work. We would organise
the necessary paperwork on your behalf. There is
normally a fee payable to the Authority for granting
permission.
Churchyards
Burial
in a Churchyard is open to all members of the
parish who have been baptised, but in most urban
areas there is no space left for new burials.
Although fees are charged, no grave deed is issued
as ownership of the grave remains with the Church
Authorities.
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.
Most Churchyards will allow 'Natural' stones
- Slate, Portland, York, Nabresina, Hopton Wood
and grey Granites with eggshell, rubbed, sawn
or rustic finishes. They will usually not allow
Marble, polished Granite, ceramic photo-plaques,
heart-shaped or book-shaped headstones and carved
figures.
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.
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.
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