How do I buy a grave?
At the time of a funeral your funeral director will usually help you to make the necessary arrangements for buying a grave. Some people may want to make their own arrangements either before or at the time of a funeral. You can organise this by contacting Penrith Cemetery Office. We will be happy to advise you. If you would like to view the section of the cemetery where you would like the burial is to take place, we will arrange for a member of staff to meet with you at the cemetery.
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 purchase the exclusive rights to a grave space but the fee is doubled for those not resident in Eden District.
When can burials take place?
Burials can take place on any weekday and Saturday morning, except on bank holidays . Please talk to your funeral director or contact us to discuss any specific needs. Please note that Saturday and out of regular hours funerals incur a double fee.
What types of graves are available?
Lawn graves
After a burial, the grave is made level and grassed over. To assist the ground staff to maintain the area,ornaments and memorials may only be placed at the head of the grave. Planting anything requires approval from the cemetery office. Grave spaces in these areas are available for up to three burials at Penrith Cemetery. At Appleby Cemetery some double depth graves are available in some areas and only single depth graves at Alston, Nenthead and Garrigill Cemeteries.
Woodland graves
Have been available at Penrith Cemetery since thecompletion of the cemetery extension in 2005. The graves are single depth only and permanent memorials will not be allowed on the grave. Trees will not be planted on each grave space but will be spaced as burial areas become full.
Childrens graves
Half grave spaces are available for the burial of young children and babies at all the councils cemeteries.
There is also a Childrens Burial Area at Penrith cemetery.
Cremated Remains
Half grave spaces for the interment of up to four caskets of cremated remains are available at all the councils cemeteries. The exclusive rights to these may be purchased and memorials placed on them.
There is a Garden of Rest at Penrith Cemetery where single cremated remains may be buried or scattered. A commemorative plaque may be purchased and placed on the Garden of Rest wall.
Cremated remains may also be also be buried or scattered in an existing family grave for which the exclusive rights have been purchased.
What is the difference between unpurchased and purchased graves
Unpurchased grave
An unpurchased grave, sometimes known as a rotation, public or common grave, is where the right to burial has not be purchased and the council has total control of the grave. The council will decide who will be buried in the grave and this may not always be members of the same family.
No memorial rights exist on public graves so no headstone or other memorial can be placed on them. This type of grave may be purchased if required, please contact the Bereavement Services office for details
Purchased grave
At present a purchased grave is where the exclusive rights to the grave are taken for a period of 50 years. Grave rights purchased before the year 2000 were purchased for varying periods between 25 and 100years.
Only the legal owner of the exclusive rights can decide who will be buried in the grave. Memorials are allowed on this type of graves but must comply with our cemetery regulations to maintain the regularity of the cemetery.
How much will it cost?
Please see Cemetery Charges
For further information:
