Buying a grave

• Burial
• Buying a grave

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Normally, your funeral director will help to make the necessary arrangements for buying a grave. Some people may want to make their own arrangements at the time of the funeral. You can organise this by directly contacting us. We will be happy to advise you. If you would like to view the section of the cemetery where the burial is to take place before the funeral, we will arrange for a member of staff to meet with you on the site.

In the cemeteries we manage, we offer several types of grave. The exclusive right of burial is sold for 50 years. These are known as 'purchased graves'.

Anyone may purchase a grave space within our cemeteries, although if you are non-resident to the area the fees are tripled. At the present time there is a restriction on Etwall Cemetery for non-residents due to the lack of grave space. This may be subject to change within the future

Burials can take place on any weekday, except on Bank Holidays. Please talk to your funeral director or contact us to discuss any specific needs.

Traditional grave spaces

These allow the owner of the grave to put a full headstone and/or surround on the grave after burial.

All memorials of this type must be built on a concrete base or 'landing'.

Lawn-type graves

We will maintain these special areas, at no expense to the grave owner.

After the burial, the grave is made level and grassed over. The headstone can have a marble or granite vase plate on which flowers or wreaths can be placed.

So that we can maintain these areas, nothing else is allowed to be placed or grown on or around the grave and the area in front of the headstone is grassed over.

Cremated remains plots

There are cremated remains plots at five of our cemeteries and a memorial garden at Etwall Cemetery. Cremated remains can also be placed in purchased graves.

Note: Most of our cemeteries have consecrated (blessed as sacred) and unconsecrated areas where you can buy graves. The consecrated ground is consecrated by the Church of England.

Unpurchased grave

An unpurchased grave, sometimes known as a public or common grave, is where the right to burial cannot be bought and the council has total control of the grave.

The council will decide who will be buried in the grave and this might not be members of the same family.

No memorial rights exist on public graves so no headstone or other memorial can be erected.

Purchased grave

A purchased grave is where the right of burial can be bought for a period of 50 years, with an option of another 25 years.

The owner of the right of burial can decide who will be buried in the grave and memorials are allowed in line with our cemetery regulations.

Memorials

We know how important memorials are as a lasting symbol of remembrance.

We offer technical advice and help to make sure that all memorials meet cemetery regulations. 

Contact details

South Derbyshire District Council
Grounds and Facilities
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: 01283 595782
Fax: 01283 595720
SMS: 0780 2561 820
Online: contact form

email: cemeteries@south-derbys.gov.uk

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