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Burial graves - new

What options are available for burial graves in the area?

There are a number of different choices available when selecting a grave depending on what cemetery you wish to use.

Visit one of the following for further information:

All private graves are purchased on a lease basis, the earthen graves offer 30, 50 or 75 years.

Underground burial vaults, sarcophagi and mausoleum offer 50 or 75 years and the purchase fee include the first opening and memorial.

  • a deed of grant is issued to the purchaser (the owner) once the fees have been received and after the first interment has taken place
  • the fees for the graves are generally paid for on the purchaser's behalf by the Funeral Director
  • the owner of the grave is given the exclusive right of burial and only they can give permission for a burial to take place or a memorial to be fitted
  • the owner has the automatic right to be buried in the grave (space permitting)
  • after the interment of the owner, no further burials or memorial works can take place (with the exception of the deceased owner's name being added to the existing memorial) until a new grave owner has been registered

Public graves are owned by the Council and there will be unrelated persons buried. As there are no individual rights to the grave the cost is much lower than a private grave.

Transfer of grave ownership

Should you wish to transfer the ownership of a grave or take on ownership following a bereavement, please complete the application to register a new owner of the exclusive right of burial.

Apply to register a new owner of the exclusive right of burial (PDF)

Extending grave leases

An extended lease provides the choice of exclusive rights of burial for a longer period than the established 30 years.

The benefits of purchasing a longer lease include:

  • an inflation-proof fixed charge
  • peace of mind for families and relatives for many additional years

Families who have an existing grave in Bexley also have the chance to extend their existing lease for set periods of 10, 30, 50 and 75 years. However, a revised lease period may not exceed 100 years in total.

Apply to extend a grave lease

Should you have any queries or require further assistance, please email cemeteries@bexley.gov.uk