Buying a grave

Frequently asked questions

When can a grave be purchased?
A grave may be purchased at any time but is generally purchased by the funeral director on behalf of the relatives after a bereavement. It is customary for the nearest surviving relative of a deceased person to be nominated as the purchaser.

How much does it cost?
You can download a list of cemetery charges.

When I purchase the grave, do I own the land?
No, the popular belief that the land itself is purchased is incorrect.

The purchaser acquires a right of burial in the grave but the land and the responsibility for its management remains with the council.

What happens to the grave following the burial?
Following an interment the ground will continue to subside for six months. As soon as practicable the grave will be levelled, grassed over and maintained by the council with regular grass cutting. An 18 inch planting area will be created for relatives to maintain.

What can I place on the grave?
Relatives may if they wish plant or place vases etc within the top 18 inch border at the head of the grave. To enable the cemetery section to be maintained to a reasonable standard and to open graves for future burials no kerbs, railings, fences, edging stones or chippings etc will be permitted within the area provided.

Any kerbs etc placed on the grave will be removed by the authority.

To enable the section to be maintained, where a grave has not been tended over a period of time, the authority will grass over the border and maintain the grave as a whole.

What memorials can be placed on the grave?
Memorials, subject to approval by the council may be erected at the head of the grave. To ensure the safety of the memorial and cemetery users all memorials have to be fixed to NAMM Standards.

Please refer to memorial information.

Burials in nearby graves
The co-operation of grave owners and relatives is requested when the lawn area of their grave is needed for the temporary placing of earth when an adjoining grave is re-opened for a burial. Following the burial the grave will be re-instated and any planting within the 18-inch border restored.

When do I receive the Grave Deed?
A month after the purchase of a new grave, the person nominated as the grave owner will receive a document called the ‘ Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial’.

This Grant or ‘Grave Deed’ reserves the owner the right of burial in the grave specified.

What happens when the grant owner dies?
When the grant owner dies, the Right of Burial will pass to the heirs of the estate. To enable the transfer of ownership to be arranged, the heirs of the estate should notify the council in writing.

It is strongly advised that the grave deeds be transferred, as this will avoid difficulties in the future if the grave has to be re-opened or an inscription is to be added to the memorial.

Purchasing a Rock Niche grave

When can a Rock Niche be purchased?
A Rock Niche grave can be purchased at any time, but is generally purchased by the funeral director on behalf of relatives after a bereavement. It is customary for the nearest surviving relative of a deceased person to be nominated as the purchaser.

When I purchase the Rock Niche, do I own the land?
No, the popular belief that the land is purchased is incorrect. The purchaser acquires a right of burial in the grave but the land and responsibility for its management remains with the council.

What can I place on the Rock Niche?
To enable the cemetery section to be maintained to a reasonable standard and to re-open Rock Niches for future burials no kerbs are permitted within the rock niche area.

Relatives must be careful with the selection of plants for planting within the Rock Niche area, as a number of shrubs and conifers will cover not only your Rock Niche but surrounding graves also.

Dwarf growing plants are recommended.