Funerals & Burial Options

Dunstable Cemetery provides for a number of burial options which can be organised through your Funeral Director or directly with the Cemetery Manager.

Coffin Burials

Lawned Graves

All new coffin burials take place in the Lawned grave area and each grave can accommodate up to 2 coffins and as many as 6 cremated remains interments. The burial of cremated remains can only take place after all coffin burials in the grave space have been completed. An area at the head of the grave space is available for the placing of a memorial headstone no greater than 36’ high and 30’’ wide. Flowers and mementos can be placed immediately around the base of the headstone. The grave space will remain as a grassed area maintained by the Cemetery grounds team and the placing of memorials or mementos and flowers is not permitted across the grave space. During the period of settlement of the grave following burial, the Council will allow the temporary placing of flowers, plants and mementos, until such time as the grant holder is notified to remove them so that the soil can be topped up and grass seed sown. This period is normally about 12 months. The person organising the funeral will be asked by the Funeral Director to sign a statement on the Notice of Burial form confirming that they understand the rules and regulations associated with the Lawn burial area.

Traditional Graves

In the older parts of the Cemetery (non- lawn areas) it is only possible to arrange coffin burials in existing grave spaces which need to be re-opened or in new pre-purchased grave spaces. These areas can accommodate larger memorials including headstones up to 6ft 6’’ in height and 7ft in length.

If you wish to plant the area of the grave space with small shrubs, bulbs or plants not exceeding 2ft in height, these must not go beyond the area of the grave space (7ft x 3ft). Trees and conifers are not permitted. All planting and maintenance will be the responsibility of the Exclusive Right of Burial holder and maintained at their expense. The Council reserves the right to cut back any plants which encroaches another grave space or adjacent area.

If you wish to place any tokens or ornaments on the grave, it is important that you understand these are left at your own risk, and the Council can accept no responsibility for the loss or damage of any such items. The Council reserves the right to remove any token or ornaments which it deems to present a hazard or to be dangerous.

Children’s Grave Spaces

Dunstable Cemetery has a separate area set aside for children’s graves where small burial plots are provided, to allow families to place personal tributes.

Heritage Grave Spaces

Heritage graves are available in the much older parts of the Cemetery in grave spaces that have not been used. The placing of memorials on Heritage graves will be restricted to those which are in keeping with existing headstones. No polished granite memorials will be allowed and the placing of solar lights and mementos is prohibited. These restrictions help to maintain the heritage nature and feel of the area.

General

For all types of burial, the Council reserves the right of passage across all graves, this includes the right to erect a soil box over a grave if an adjacent grave has to be opened. This right allows the Council to provide for future burials efficiently and effectively. Every care will be taken to minimise disruption and leave adjacent grave spaces in a clean and tidy condition on completion.

Interment of Cremated Remains

The interment of cremated remains is the burial of the ashes of a loved one following a cremation. The ashes are normally provided to the family or the Funeral Director by the Crematorium in a container. There are two methods of burial available at Dunstable Cemetery: the burial of ashes in the ground or the placing of the ashes in an above ground granite Sanctum.

Garden of Remembrance

Dunstable Cemetery has set aside burial areas for ashes, known as Gardens of Remembrance. The ashes are placed in a small hole in the ground 18’’ deep and each grave space can accommodate up to three sets of ashes. Alternatively, ashes can be buried in full grave spaces, however this can only be undertaken after the grave has been used for all coffin burials. Ashes can only be buried in bio-degradable containers such as wood or cardboard.

Burial of ashes in the Garden of Remembrance allows the Exclusive Right holder the opportunity to place a small 18’’square by no more than 18’’ high memorial on the space. Memorials can be placed six months after burial once the ground has settled.

Sanctums

Dunstable Cemetery has a number of granite Sanctum chambers available for the placing of ashes within them. These Sanctums are available for lease for a period of 25 or 35 year options and provide an opportunity to have a memorial plaque made up and secured to the front of the Sanctum. See fees and charges for further information. Sanctums are a great alternative for those who do not like the idea of burying in the ground.