Burials
We appreciate that during this difficult time you will have to make important decisions about the cemetery and grave you want for the funeral.
The following information will help you make your choice.
- How do I buy a grave?
- How long can I buy a grave for?
- Who can buy a grave?
- What types of grave are available?
- Can I bury cremated remains in the cemeteries?
- Are all the graves on consecrated ground?
- What is the difference between unpurchased and purchased graves?
- How much will it cost?
Each of the ten cemeteries in Harrogate Borough Council's care are open for burial. However, new graves are very limited in Grove Road and Harlow Hill.
A grave is allocated for each burial as required or can be pre-purchased. Harrogate Borough Council prides itself in taking into consideration where possible the wishes of the bereaved when allocating grave plots.
The grave provided by Harrogate Borough Council for full burials is a lawn grave, which is for 1, 2, (or 3, limited availability) interments. The sections are maintained with regular grass cutting and plants placed within the border with the facility for a full memorial stone (as approved by Harrogate Borough Council).
There are specifically designated sections within some cemeteries reserved for Cremated Remains, Baby and Child graves.
How do I buy a grave?
Normally, your funeral director will help to make the necessary arrangements for buying a grave. Some people may want to make their own arrangements at the time of the funeral. You can organise this by directly contacting us. We will be happy to advise you. If you would like to view the section of the cemetery where the burial is to take place before the funeral, we will arrange for a member of staff to meet with you on the site.
How long can I buy a grave for?
In the cemeteries we manage, we offer several types of grave. The exclusive right of burial is sold for 50 years. These are known as 'purchased graves'.
Who can buy a grave?
Anyone can buy a grave in a Harrogate cemetery. However, non-residents will pay an additional surcharge.
When can burials take place?
Burials can take place on any weekday, except on bank holidays. Please talk to your funeral director or contact us to discuss any specific needs.
What types of graves are available?
Lawn-type graves
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We will maintain these special areas, at no expense to the grave owner. After the burial, the grave is made level and grassed over. The headstone can have an apron stone on which flowers or wreaths can be placed; this is installed to Council standards.
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So that we can maintain these areas, nothing else is allowed to be placed or grown on or around the grave and the area in front of the headstone is grassed over.
Baby graves
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This section is reserved for babies up to one year and is provided for those families wishing to place a memorial tablet on the grave, as approved by the Council. Headstones can be placed on certain of these graves.
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Child graves
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This section is reserved for both babies and children, with room for one interment in each grave and has the facility for a full memorial stone as approved by the Council.
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Cremated Remains graves
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Each grave can contain up to six sets of remains. To assist in the Council's aim to be as ecologically friendly as possible, each set of remains may be interred within a container made only of natural materials, e.g. wood, metal or natural quarried stone.
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Woodland Burial Graves
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These graves are for single burial of Harrogate residents only and are commonly known as "Green Burials". The area is a completely natural site with no memorialisation allowed. However, at the discretion of the Council, trees can be planted in specific areas and bereaved relatives may wish to support this as a 'living' memory of their loved one.
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It is compulsory, that all owners of grave rights make provision for the transfer of the rights to their heirs or assignees, either in their will or by means of other written documentation.
Are all the graves on consecrated ground?
Most of our cemeteries have consecrated (blessed as sacred) and unconsecrated areas where you can buy graves. The consecrated grounds, or graves, are consecrated by the Church of England.
What is the difference between unpurchased and purchased graves?
Unpurchased grave
An unpurchased grave, sometimes known as a public or common grave, is where the right to burial cannot be bought and the Council has total control of the grave.
Unrelated people are buried in this type of grave. The Council will decide who will be buried in the grave and this might not be members of the same family.
No memorial rights exist on public graves so no headstone or other memorial can be put up.
Purchased grave
A purchased grave is where the right of burial can be bought for a period of 50 years, and can be renewed for a further period after this time.
The owner of the right of burial can decide who will be buried in the grave and memorials are allowed in line with our cemetery regulations.
How much will it cost?
Please see our
Bereavement Fees and Charges webpage.
Please use this form to enquire about buying a grave.