Burial grounds (cemeteries) are the responsibility of the local authorities. Many of them are operated by local authorities who appoint a registrar or caretaker for each of their burial grounds to manage the sale of plots in that site, and in some cases to maintain the burial ground. Parishes operate some burial grounds, while local groups also operate burial grounds. If you want to purchase a burial plot, you can contact your local authority to get contact details. However, many funeral directors offer to handle the purchase of burial plots as part of their package of funeral services.
It is important to point out that many burial grounds or graveyards are already full, and there may be restrictions on the pre-purchase or buying in advance of burial plots, such as limiting advance buying to those over 65 years of age.
All burials must be registered with the local authority and the location of the grave noted. This is done by the people who manage the graveyard.
Caretakers may be employed by the local authority to maintain the graveyard, although many local authorities now encourage the establishment of voluntary groups who maintain burial grounds in their area.
These groups are supported by many local authorities in the form of burial ground maintenance priming grants. This grant helps towards the cost of the groups' activities, which include grass cutting and planting in burial grounds, weed control, and the construction and improvement of gates, entrances and boundary walls.
It is possible to design a headstone yourself or hire a sculptor to make it for you, but, in practice, the funeral directors you employ to look after funeral arrangements will arrange the construction and installation of a headstone themselves. It is necessary to obtain permission before erecting headstones, but the funeral directors will arrange this also.
The cost of buying a burial plot varies. If you hire funeral directors to arrange the purchase for you, they will indicate how much the burial plot costs as part of the overall expense of a funeral.
If you wish to purchase a burial plot, you should start by contacting your local authority for contact details.
Your local authority may also be able to help if you want to start or join a voluntary cemetery maintenance group or apply for grants for such a group.
It is important to point out that many burial grounds or graveyards are already full, and there may be restrictions on the pre-purchase or buying in advance of burial plots, such as limiting advance buying to those over 65 years of age.
All burials must be registered with the local authority and the location of the grave noted. This is done by the people who manage the graveyard.
Caretakers may be employed by the local authority to maintain the graveyard, although many local authorities now encourage the establishment of voluntary groups who maintain burial grounds in their area.
These groups are supported by many local authorities in the form of burial ground maintenance priming grants. This grant helps towards the cost of the groups' activities, which include grass cutting and planting in burial grounds, weed control, and the construction and improvement of gates, entrances and boundary walls.
It is possible to design a headstone yourself or hire a sculptor to make it for you, but, in practice, the funeral directors you employ to look after funeral arrangements will arrange the construction and installation of a headstone themselves. It is necessary to obtain permission before erecting headstones, but the funeral directors will arrange this also.
The cost of buying a burial plot varies. If you hire funeral directors to arrange the purchase for you, they will indicate how much the burial plot costs as part of the overall expense of a funeral.
If you wish to purchase a burial plot, you should start by contacting your local authority for contact details.
Your local authority may also be able to help if you want to start or join a voluntary cemetery maintenance group or apply for grants for such a group.