Burial - reducing costs

Prices can vary a lot between different cemeteries, especially local authority ones and those that are privately owned.

Many cemeteries will list the burial cost in two parts – the lease of the grave, often for a given period, such as 30 years, and the digging of the plot, often referred to as the interment.

A lot of cemeteries have their costs published online, or you can ring their office to talk about the options they have available.

• Graves located next to a path tend to be more expensive.
• Lawn grave prices tend to be lower than traditional graves. Normally, you will be allowed to arrange for a headstone to be placed on a lawn grave, while a traditional grave will allow a surround and slab as well.
• Woodland graves within traditional cemeteries can be more reasonably priced. Actual woodland sites/burial grounds can be less expensive, but it varies widely. They can be a more environmentally conscious option and tend to use trees or simple markers rather than expensive gravestones.
• Some cemeteries offer reclaimed or re-used graves which have previously been owned by another family and may already have people buried there.  The people already buried there will not be moved. A new burial would happen in spaces remaining in the grave. This can be a lower cost, but also more environmentally conscious option, as existing land is being used.
• Shared or public graves are offered by some cemeteries.  Normally, you will only pay for the interment, and the grave remains owned by the cemetery. Other people, generally between two and four, could be buried in the same grave. It can be a good option if burial is a priority, but you have a small budget. Most of the time it is not possible to have a headstone.
• Cemeteries often charge extra to use the chapel for a service – if this is costly, you could consider having a graveside service.

If you are using a funeral director, they will be able to provide information about the burial options in your local area.  If you’re not using a funeral director, most cemeteries publish their costs online, or can help you over the phone.