The Cemeteries service

No, lair is just another name for grave.

No, we do not offer lairs to be purchased in advance.

No. Because of how we operate, we will assign you the next available burial plot.

No. You do not own the land. You have bought the exclusive right to be buried in that plot and to put up a memorial in the designated space. Only one person can hold the exclusive right of burial certificate.

Legislation introduced in March 2026 means that any lair purchased is granted burial rights for 25 years with an option to extend on expiry. This change does not affect lairs purchased before March 2026.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee how many burials can fit in a plot. If fewer burials than expected can be accommodated, no fee will be reduced. Plot owners are buying the exclusive right to be buried there, not the physical space itself.

The funeral director must provide enough people to carry the coffin respectfully from the hearse to the grave and lower it into the grave. If our staff are asked to help, neither they nor the council will be responsible for any damage to the hearse or coffin.

Soil settling happens naturally after a burial due to various environmental and physical factors and will continue over the years. The cemetery team will monitor your plot and help level the ground as part of regular maintenance. If you notice any issues, you can contact the cemetery office, and they will address it as resources allow.

The cemetery team will monitor your plot for several weeks to ensure the soil settles properly. Once it’s ready, they will lay natural grass. Please do not use artificial turf, slabs, or bricks, as these can affect drainage and cause waterlogging. Natural grass is used for better aesthetics, functionality, and environmental sustainability. During summer, laying turf might take longer due to weather conditions. Your help in watering the turf during summer would be appreciated.

When the neighboring plot was dug for a burial, your plot subsided when the support was removed. This is a natural process that can happen during nearby burials and is hard to avoid. We assure you that your plot itself has not been disturbed. The ground between plots is wide enough to prevent any subsidence from affecting your burial plot.

Please do not plant trees or flowers, as their roots can affect future burials and may damage the foundation of your memorial headstone.

Due to how we operate, your plot must be kept free of any fencing, lights, or decorations. This is very important so the cemetery team can properly care for your plot.

For health and safety reasons, personal grass-cutting machines are not allowed in the cemetery. You also cannot hire someone to cut the grass for you. All grounds maintenance must be done or arranged by the burial authority.

No. You can go to any accredited memorial mason to arrange your memorial after the burial. Some older cemeteries may need a headstone foundation installed first. Once it’s installed and set, you can place your memorial headstone. Your memorial mason can advise you on this.

No. Headstones cannot be taller than 1524mm (5ft). There are also restrictions on the size of the base due to cemetery grounds conditions. Your monumental mason can advise you on this.

Yes, you can have a small garden 300mm (12”) from the front edge of the memorial stone. We are not responsible for any theft, loss, or damage. The cemetery team may need to remove your garden if a neighbouring plot is excavated for a burial. We are not responsible for any damage to your items if they are removed for this reason.

Please do not install kerbing or fencing around your headstone, as it makes it difficult for the cemetery team to maintain your plot. If a neighbouring plot needs to be excavated for burial, the cemetery team will have to remove any kerbing or fencing. We are not responsible for any damage to your items if they are removed for this reason.

No, approved monuments must be installed by memorial masons who are members of the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) or the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) and follow their Code of Working Practice. They must also be part of our Memorial Registration Scheme.

Memorials are installed at the lair holder’s risk, and you should have appropriate insurance. Your monumental mason can advise on the right insurance to get. If you believe the council is at fault, you can contact the cemetery office at 01698 506300 or email Financeinsurance@northlan.gov.uk to request a third-party claims form.

Yes, you can. For safety and respect, always keep dogs on a leash in the cemetery. Please don’t let your dog walk on burial plots or memorial areas. Use designated paths and roads instead. For issues like dog fouling, contact the dog warden at 0345 143 0015.

Council staff will remove flowers after a certain time. Please let us know if you want them kept for collection.