| ifishoulddieweb@yahoo.co.uk |
|
|
|
Print-friendly version
Traditional BurialAround thirty per cent of the population still choose to be buried in traditional churchyards and municipal cemeteries, which means that churches and municipal cemeteries have to find room for 160,000 new graves every year. However, a critical shortage of space in existing churchyards is developing and most urban and suburban churchyards no longer have space available. In addition, some of Britain's major cities are already running out of cemetery space to bury the dead. It is reported that inner London boroughs have only seven years before they are completely full and even in outer London boroughs, there is only 18 years left. The person who has died may already have arranged a grave space in a churchyard or cemetery which may be included in the will or papers. If space has already been paid for in a cemetery there will be a Deed of Grant, which should be amongst the deceased papers. Most cemeteries are non-denominational and are owned by local authorities or private companies and fees vary with plots costing anything from £30 to £5,000 depending on the location. People should be aware that because of pressure of space, particularly in bigger cities, most burial plots are now sold on a system of leasehold. Remains can therefore be moved to another part of the cemetery once the lease has expired. When you buy a grave you purchase the Exclusive Rights of Burial in that grave for a set period of time - this may be 50/75 years. You do not own the plot of land, just the particular grave space. In the final five years of this period you will be given the option of renewing the Rights for a further 25 years. It is important that you keep the Cemetery office fully informed should you change address otherwise you may not receive a notice of renewal at the appropriate time. Should you not wish to renew the lease or you cannot be contacted the Cemetery staff can lawfully remove any memorial after giving a set period of notice for you to remove the memorial yourself. If you decide to renew the lease this may be on condition that any memorial receives a full inspection and stability test and any defects found are repaired. Ownership of the Exclusive Rights of Burial in a grave can be transferred from a deceased owner via the owner's estate. Transfer can be very complex and you should contact the Cemetary office. Because the majority of cemeteries are non-denominational, most types of funeral service or ceremony can be conducted there. Advice will also be available from the ministers of the religion or religious organisation that the deceased may have belonged to. If you want to be buried in a churchyard, you can find out from the priest or minister if space is available and the right to be buried there. A burial will require the certificate for burial or cremation or if a coroner was involved, the order for burial. The Registrar of Birth and Deaths will issue the Certificate for Burial or Cremation, which is a green certificate, or if a coroner was involved, the Order for Burial. This can be given to the funeral director or sent to the cemetery or crematorium. As soon as the death has been certified, then plans for the funeral can go ahead and provisional bookings can be made at a cemetery, once the attendance of a minister (if required) has been arranged. Forms Required for Burial A Notice of Burial must be delivered to the cemetery authority as soon as a funeral booking is confirmed. This is a formal notification and forms a binding contract regarding the work and costs involved. The form should be accompanied by the Registrars green certificate or the Coroner's Order for Burial. A burial in Scotland requires the certificate of registration of death. The Registrar of Birth and Deaths will issue the Certificate for Burial or Cremation, which is a green certificate, or if a coroner was involved, the Order for Burial. This can be given to the funeral director or sent to the cemetery or crematorium. As soon as the death has been certified, then plans for the funeral can go ahead and provisional bookings can be made at a cemetery, once the attendance of a minister (if required) has been arranged. Contact your local council for details of municipal cemetaries in your area. Association of Burial Authorities Waterloo House 155 Upper Street, London N1 1RA Tel: 020 7288 2522 Fax: 020 7288 2533 Email: aba@burials.org.uk www.burials.org.uk The Association of Burial Authorities is a not for profit organisation, formed in 1993 to fulfill the need for a consumer orientated organisation to co-ordinate the activities of burial grounds and provide a tangible link between them the the public. |
|
| Ifishoulddie - - Email: ifishoulddieweb@yahoo.co.uk Copyright © Ifishoulddie 2008. Directory Software by 7Soft.co.uk. |