Burials and Cremations

Local authorities may provide and maintain local authority owned burial grounds.

Local authorities maintain a public register of all burials in local authority burial grounds.

Local authorities support the appointment of coroners to investigate the cause of sudden and unexplained deaths and issue death certificates to the next-of-kin.

Local authorities may provide crematoria as an alternative to burials.

You must apply to the local authority for an exhumation licence to exhume the remains of a deceased person.

Local authorities may carry out tests on the depth of graves.

Local authorities may provide grave opening and closing services in local authority owned burial grounds.

Local authorities maintain a public register of grave owners in local authority burial grounds.

Local authorities may require gravediggers in local authority owned burial grounds to register with them.

Local authorities may maintain a register of approved gravediggers.

You can buy a grave space in a local authority burial ground.

You can apply to a local authority to get a licence to erect a headstone.