Guide A guide to arranging a burial

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2. Types of grave

There are two types of graves in our cemeteries.

One grave is for the burial of bodies and the other is for the burial of cremated remains.

Graves in lawn section

All new graves in the Council cemeteries, with the exception of any woodland graves are Lawn Plots. New graves will be allocated in strict rotation.  They are not available for selection other than the option of a grave in consecrated or un-consecrated ground.  A headstone and base may, with Council's prior written permission, be placed at the head of a grave with the remainder kept as grass and permanently unobstructed for  No other permanent memorial may be placed on the grave. A lawn grave allows for the entire space of the grave to be set aside for the burial of a body.

The grave is normally dug deep enough for up to two body burials, and  the graves are big enough to take up to four sets of cremated remains, in bio degradable caskets. Alternatively full grave plots may be used exclusively for cremated remains.

 surface of the grave will be levelled after six months.

Excavation of Graves

 The funeral director or the person having arranging the funeral must contract the services of a suitably qualified and council approved gravedigger to excavate the grave and will be responsible for paying the gravedigger or contractor the appropriate fee.  The Council does not collect grave-digging fees nor undertake arrangements to excavate the grave currently.

Ashes plots

Some plots are set aside exclusively for the burial of cremated remains. Our ashes plots have space for two sets of cremated remains in bio degradable caskets.  You are able to place a flat stone or desk tablet style memorial tablet on an ashes plot.  

Excavation of Ashes Plots

 The Council will arrange for qualified council technicians to excavate ashes plots for the interment of cremated remains and to back fill upon completion.