Options for Burial and Cremation

Burial

Churchyards (where there is still space)

• Usually needing to be a resident of that Parish but non-parishioners can apply for a faculty and sometimes a family connection will suffice, dependent on clergy views.
• There is no fee to ‘purchase’ a grave but statutory fees are payable to the Parish and Diocese and a recognised grave digger must be employed.
• The position of a new grave is usually the next in line (unless a faculty has been granted to vary this).
• Anyone living in the Parish has the right to be buried in their local Churchyard (if still allowing burials) whether they are of the Christian faith or not.
• There are strict rules about the type of headstones / memorials permitted, which are set out by the Diocese.

Cemeteries (owned by a Town, Parish or District Council)

• Allow anyone to be buried with non-residents (as defined by them) paying an increased fee (double or more).
• Users must purchase an ‘Exclusive Right of Burial’ which is in effect a lease whereby the owner can specify who is buried in the grave and gives them the right to place a memorial on the grave (on payment of a separate fee and within their regulations). Some Councils allow the extension of this Right, which may be granted for 50, 75 or 100 years.
• At the time of use, an interment fee is also payable and that of a recognised grave digger.
• Fee are set by the Council, usually on an annual basis.
• The Council will set rules for headstones /memorials, which usually allow a wider choice than Churchyards.

Woodland Burial (in a Woodland Burial Ground or Woodland area of a Cemetery)

• Usually one burial per grave.
• Embalming is not permitted.
• Often restrictions on the type of coffin permitted.
• Little or no memorialisation.
• Price is often the same as usual cemetery fees or higher, depending on position.

Cremation

Crematoria are usually privately or Council owned

• There are a number of local Crematoria, all of which offer excellent facilities
  • The East Devon Crematorium, Whimple (Honiton)
  • The Exeter & Devon Crematorium (Exeter)
  • Weymouth Crematorium
  • Yeovil Crematorium
  • Taunton Crematorium
• Most Crematoria have a digital music system which provides an enormous catalogue of music; i.e. anything recorded and released in this country should be available on request.
• Many Crematoria offer the facility to webcast the Service online using a private link, and are able to provide DVD and/or sound recordings of the Service, if booked in advance.
• Most Crematoria have screens where photographs, videos and music can be combined to create a visual tribute, again if arranged in advance.
• Service times range between 20 and 30 minutes but extra time can be paid for.