Purchasing a grave right
An exclusive right of burial (EROB) is a legal agreement that grants the right to bury a body or ashes in a grave for a set period of time. It is important to note you do not own the land, only the right to be buried.
When you buy a grave right you purchase the Exclusive Rights of Burial in that grave for a set period of time. At the end of the period you would be given the option of renewing the rights for a further period.
It is vitally important that you keep the bereavement services office fully informed should you change address otherwise you may not receive a notice of renewal at the appropriate time.
When a new grave right is purchased the rights are 'granted' together with the rights to erect a memorial on the grave in accordance with the rules and regulations of the cemetery. It is important that you choose the cemetery that will provide you with the type of memorial that you require as regulations differ from area to area.
This can be checked by contacting the relevant cemetery office and making enquiries about the choices and options available.
The length of time you can own a grave right
We offer grave rights for 30 or 50 year terms. However, the law does permit grant of ownership to be extended. In this manner, the grave right can stay in the family for as long as you wish, then you (or your family) can renew the right at the end of the current lease.
Cost for 30 years
| Type of burial | Fee |
|---|---|
| Grave used for burial of child up to 18 years (30 year term) babies and children's burial ground | £90 |
| Grave used for burial of person over 18 years (30 year term) | £875 |
| Grave used for burial of cremated remains (30 year term) | £300 |
| Extension of Exclusive Right of Burial (30 years) | 50% of full price |
Woodland burial fees for 30 years
| Type of burial | Fee |
|---|---|
| Woodland Burial - Adult Grave for one burial (30 year term) | £350 |
| Woodland Burial - Adult Grave for two burials (30 year term) | £700 |
| Woodland Burial - Grave for cremated remains (30 year term) | £350 |
Cost for 50 years
| Type of burial | Fee |
|---|---|
| Grave used for burial of child up to 18 years (50 year term) babies and children's burial ground | £120 |
| Grave used for burial of person over 18 years (50 year term) | £1,450 |
| Grave used for burial of cremated remains (50 year term) | £500 |
| Extension of Exclusive Right of Burial (30 years) | 50% of full price |
Woodland burial fees for 50 years
| Type of burial | Fee |
|---|---|
| Woodland burial - Adult grave for one burial (50 year term) | £625 |
| Woodland burial - Adult grave for two burials (50 year term) | £950 |
| Woodland burial - Grave for cremated remains (50 year term) | £475 |
The end of the lease period
At end of the lease period, your rights to erect and maintain a memorial will finish. Should you not wish to renew the lease or you cannot be contacted, the council could lawfully then re-sell the grave right if the grave has not been used.
Renewing the lease
If you decide to renew the lease this may be on condition that the memorial receives a full safety inspection and any defects found are repaired at your expense.
When owners of the grave have died
Ownership of the exclusive right of burial in a grave can be transferred from a deceased owner via that owner's estate. The means of transfer can be very complex depending in individual circumstances.
Whilst there is a set procedure to follow, each case must be looked at individually. If you need to transfer ownership when all owners are deceased you will need to contact the relevant office where staff can help you through the process in compliance with law.
Graves cannot be opened without the permission in writing of the registered owner of the grave. The only exception to this is where the burial is to be that of the registered owner in which case no written authority is required. The law protects your rights as the registered owner of the grave.
Transfer of exclusive rights and adding additional names to a grave right
If you would like to transfer the exclusive rights of burial, or add on additional names, then please contact the Bereavement service team in your area.
The cost to transfer rights is £90.
Other costs
| Type of burial | Fee |
|---|---|
| Pre- purchase grave fee - space allowing | £100 |
| Pre- purchase cremated remains grave fee - space allowing | £45 |
| Admin charge for swapping an exclusive right or selling a right back to council | £45 |