Types of graves

What to consider when buying a grave or cremated remains plot

It can be a minefield choosing the correct place for your loved one to be. Here are a few helpful points to bear in mind:

What style of grave would you like to have? Will you choose a traditional kerb set grave or would you prefer a lower maintenance lawn area grave?
- Some of our cemeteries offer both of these types of grave; however, please bear in mind the topography of our region and that certain areas may not be suitable for the grave you would like.
- Always make sure you understand the differences between these two styles. If you are in any doubt, please make sure you consult your chosen funeral director and/or stonemason for advice.

Once the funeral has taken place, you may need to wait a while before erecting a headstone or memorial.
- Please contact one of our approved stonemasons to add your headstone. View a list of our permitted stonemasons

Are you thinking of cremation? We have beautiful Garden of Remembrance (GoR) areas for your loved ones in each of our cemeteries.
- Once the cremation has taken place, our Burials Team would be delighted to help you find the correct cemetery for your loved one's ashes.
- This could be in our GoR plots or by interment in an existing grave space.
- Please do make contact with us so that we can help you further.

Once you have chosen what style of grave or cremated remains plot you would like to have, you will need to purchase an Exclusive Right of Burial (ERoB).
- When you purchase an ERoB, you become the owner of the grave, not the owner of the land itself.
- Though you don't own the land, you have the exclusive right to say who can be buried in that grave.
- You will be issued with a Deed of Grant, conferring on the Grantee the exclusive Right of Burial in the grave space indicated on the terms set out in the Deed of Grant.

Traditional grave

This type of grave provides greater design flexibility for those who want to create a distinct memorial space in honour of their loved ones. While a traditional grave is a common choice, it is only currently available in two of our three cemeteries.

You have several options with this style of grave:

Kerb enclosure: You can enclose the grave with a kerb set, creating a defined boundary.
Stone edging: Alternatively, you may choose to use stone edging to outline the space.
Continuous mound: Another option is to have a continuous mound with a memorial stone positioned at the head.

Each of these choices allows for personalisation and a unique tribute to the departed.

We take immense pride in maintaining our cemeteries as well-kept, green, open spaces, that are cherished by our residents, and abundant with flora and fauna. However, we understand that families may wish to add extra tributes to distinguish and honour their loved ones within these areas. With this in mind, we kindly ask our grave owners and families to consider the following guidelines at all times:

You are directly responsible for the safety and security of your grave space. Please exercise caution regarding sharp objects, corners and slipping or tripping hazards. If someone is injured due to your property, you could be held liable rather than the local authority.
Please respect grave spaces. While we allow tributes, remember that you are not obligated to have them in your area. If you opt to have them, please keep them in the defined boundary of your grave area.
The memorial dimensions, including foundations, must not exceed 3' 6” in height, 36” in width, and 6' 6” in depth. Please remember that if you have a bigger space than agreed, you will be encroaching into the next grave space along, and this infringement will not be tolerated.
Memorials must always be fitted by a licensed and permitted stonemason. View a list of our permitted stonemasons

Re-opening of graves

If further interments are required, we respectfully ask the grave owner to remove any temporary tributes and store them safely so that we can gain access to the grave space. This is not the responsibility of the local authority.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in preserving the sanctity of our cemeteries.

View information about our cemeteries where traditional graves are available

Lawn grave

These burial plots are specifically designed for individuals who wish to have a memorial headstone placed only on the grave space. The deliberate choice to keep this area as a lawn ensures that it maintains the appearance of an open grassy space that is easy to maintain. The use of grass also aids proper drainage and contributes to an aesthetically pleasing environment.

We take great pride in maintaining our cemeteries as well-kept, green, open spaces, abundant with flora and fauna, and cherished by our residents. However, we recognise that some families may wish to add extra tributes to distinguish and honour their loved ones within these areas. Bearing this in mind, we kindly ask our grave owners and families to consider the following guidelines at all times:

You are directly responsible for the safety and security of your grave space. Please exercise caution regarding sharp objects, corners and slipping or tripping hazards. If someone is injured due to your property, you could be held liable rather than the local authority.
Please respect grave spaces that prefer a lawn appearance; they may have been intentionally chosen for various reasons. While we allow tributes, remember that you are not obligated to have them in your area. If you opt for a pure lawn grave, we will continue to fully mow and maintain the area, and we appreciate your decision.
Memorials must always be fitted by a licensed and permitted stonemason. In areas where the ground cannot support heavy memorials, we kindly request that they remain lightweight and are placed near the plinth runners or main headstone. This approach also aids proper drainage into the soil.
If you choose to place tributes onto a lawn area, they must be lightweight, temporary, memorials that could be removed if requested to undertake essential maintenance or emergency work.
We permit mini kerb sets in old lawn graves in Castle Green and Wombridge cemeteries only. The entire memorial’s footprint must not exceed 36" wide by 30" deep. While the placement and upkeep of the memorial is the responsibility of the grave owner, our cemetery groundskeepers will continue to maintain the lawn area. For further guidance if you choose to have this option, we recommend that you consult your funeral director or stonemason.

View information about our cemeteries where lawn graves are available

Baby/infant and child graves

Castle Green Cemetery also has an area for the burial of children.

Within the cemeteries, all the plots are of a lawn grave type, babies being a quarter of the size of a full plot and children (up to the age of 12 years) half the size. Each grave may have a headstone 22" high by 18" wide by 12" deep (a kerb set can be installed with a maximum overall length of 36", including the headstone foundation) or a stone vase placed at the head of the grave.

View information about our cemeteries that have designated areas for the burial of babies/infants

Garden of Remembrance section for cremated remains

Similar to the lawn grave but placed on a gravel border - although the grave itself is smaller to accommodate the urn or caskets, in which the cremated remains are buried.

An individual small headstone (maximum 22" high by 18" wide by 12" deep) or a stone vase may be placed in the gravel area immediately above the cremated remains in all three of our cemeteries.

A gravelled area is also available for the burial of cremated remains in Wombridge Cemetery.

You can place a small vase on the gravelled area beneath the Wall of Remembrance. A Wall of Remembrance is available in all three cemeteries for you to place a brass plaque.

View information about our cemeteries that have garden of remembrance sections for cremated remains

Family Columbarium

These structures are placed above ground and consist of 18 units. Each unit can hold up to four urns inside. The Columbarium is currently only available at Wellington Cemetery. The lease period for the Columbarium is 25 years.

Last updated: 27/03/2024 19:10