Cemeteries FAQs

How many burials can a full size earthern burial plot accommodate?

A  full size earthen plot can accommodate two full body burials and six sets of cremated remains.

How many burials can a Garden of Remembrance Cremated Remains plot accommodate?

A Garden of Remembrance plot for cremated remains  only can accommodate two sets of cremated remains.

What types of burial plots are there?

A 'Traditional' plot, where a full Headstone & Kerbs memorial is permitted. A 'Lawn' plot, where a headstone memorial only is permitted. And a 'Garden of Remembrance' plot where a tablet memorial is permitted.

Do I own the plot?

No. You buy the 'Exclusive Right of Burial' for the plot, which means that only you or a person of your choice can be buried in the grave. The plot itself and all Cemetery grounds belong to the Local Authority.

Does the Exclusive Rights of Burial of a plot automatically transfer to next of kin upon the event of the owner passing?

No, please contact the Cemeteries Office and we can advise you of the transfer process. The current fee can be found here: Link here

The owner of the 'Exclusive Right of Burial' of a plot has passed away and is to be interred - do I need to transfer ownership of the plot rights?

The owner of the 'Exclusive Right of Burial' of a plot has automatic right of burial so no transfer is required to arrange the interment into the plot.   However, any new memorial work, including an additional inscription for the deceased, would need to be commissioned by a living owner, so a transfer would be required.

What costs are involved in organising an interment in a new plot?

There are two main costs involved with organising a burial in a new plot.

First is the 'Exclusive Right of Burial' for the plot and that fee is based on the residency of living owner. The Council retains ownership of all land within the cemetery, but as the registered owner of the 'Exclusive Right of Burial', you have the automatic right to be buried in the grave and can arrange for others to be buried in the grave (space permitting).

The second cost is the Interment (burial) fee, which is based on residency of the deceased to be interred. Please see our Scale of Fees for a full list of costs.

I would like to arrange an Interment of Cremated Remains, how can I do that?

Please contact the Cemeteries Office. To arrange an interment of Cremated Remains, we require a completed Notice of Interment Cremated Remains form (available to download HERE/LINK) and the Certificate of Cremated Remains, which should have been provided by the Crematorium/Funeral Director with the ashes. We require all paperwork in place and full payment of all fees made five workings days before the date of interment.

How to arrange burial of cremated remains yourself

I am arranging an Interment of Cremated Remains, what happens on the day?

A burial cavity within the plot is prepared in advance of an interment so you can bring the ashes on the day and either lay them to rest yourselves or we can do it for you. Once the attendees have had time at the plot and depart the cemetery, the Team then refill the burial cavity.

Does Spelthorne have a 24-hour burial service?

Yes, our Sunbury Cemetery has a 24-hour burial section.

How do I organise a memorial for my plot? 

Only the owner of the 'Exclusive Right of Burial' can commission any memorial work to be carried out on a plot. Please contact a local memorial mason for any memorial works required.

A memorial permit will be required for any work to be carried out and the fee will be recharged to you by the memorial mason directly. Please see our Scale of Fees for memorial permit pricing.  

Who is responsible for a memorial on a plot?

Whilst the burial authority (Spelthorne Council) is responsible for maintaining the overall safety of the cemetery, the Memorial Owner has a responsibility to ensure their memorial is structurally safe.

If a memorial owner fails to ensure their memorial is structurally safe the cemetery office may take action to make the memorial safe. If a memorial is identified as being unstable and likely to fall and injure someone, it might be cordoned off, laid flat or have a temporary support installed.

You will receive a letter in these circumstances, and it will be the memorial owners responsibility to arrange suitable repair. For further information please contact the Cemeteries Office on 01784 446379 or email cemeteries@spelthorne.gov.uk

The Council will not be responsible for any damage to memorials or gravestones by storm, wind, lightening, subsidence, vandalism or acts of a third party. The memorial owner is strongly advised to check the warranty provided by their memorial mason at the time of purchase and it is always advised to insure a memorial against accidental damage and vandalism.