Not the land. You buy the exclusive right of burial in it for a fixed period, commonly several decades, which can usually be renewed. The burial authority continues to own and maintain the ground.

Why is a burial in the next town so much more expensive?

Most burial authorities charge non-residents a higher fee, sometimes several times the resident rate, because the cemetery is funded by local taxpayers. Ask for the resident and non-resident rates before choosing a cemetery.

Burial costs and the cost of a plot

A burial is usually the most expensive route, because the grave is a separate purchase from the funeral and the price varies enormously by area.

What this covers

Burial has two costs cremation does not: the exclusive right of burial, bought from the burial authority for a period of years, and the interment fee for preparing the grave.

Both are set by the cemetery rather than the funeral director, and differ more by geography than any other cost here. Many councils charge substantially more where the deceased did not live in the area, which is the most common surprise in a burial quote.

A memorial is a third purchase, usually months later, and cemeteries set rules on size, material and inscription worth reading before ordering a stone.

Common questions

Do I own the grave?: Not the land. You buy the exclusive right of burial in it for a fixed period, commonly several decades, which can usually be renewed. The burial authority continues to own and maintain the ground.
Why is a burial in the next town so much more expensive?: Most burial authorities charge non-residents a higher fee, sometimes several times the resident rate, because the cemetery is funded by local taxpayers. Ask for the resident and non-resident rates before choosing a cemetery.

Part of funeral costs. Every figure on this site comes from the published fee dataset.

Burial costs and the cost of a plot

What this covers

Common questions

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