Coffin Burials
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.
All new coffin burials take place in the Cemetery Extension 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.
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 encroach 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. Low edgings and non-permanent kerb edgings are permissible.
In the older parts of the Cemetery, 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 encroach 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. Low edgings and non-permanent kerb edgings are permissible.
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. 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 (4ft x 2ft). 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 encroach another grave space or adjacent area.
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.
As soon as convenient after the burial the Council will sow grass or lay turf over the area of the grave space. This work will usually be carried out in the Spring or Autumn following the burial, allowing time for the grave to settle (which may be up to a year) and be filled with topsoil and seeding to be laid to lawn and maintained by the Council.
Alternatively, if you wish to plant the area of the grave space you may do so. An area not exceeding 7ft x 3ft (4ft x 2 ft on children’s sections) on any single grave space may be planted with small shrubs or plants with future growth not exceeding 2ft in height. Conifers and trees are not permitted. All planting and maintenance will be the responsibility of the owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial and at their expense.
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.
The Council reserves the right to cut down or remove any planting which becomes unsightly or overgrown or if the grave or any adjacent grave needs to be reopened.
If the grave space is left unattended for any significant time the Council reserves the right to remove planting and grass the grave space.
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.
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 types of ashes burial available at Dunstable Cemetery: the burial of ashes in the ground or the placing of the ashes in an above ground granite Sanctum.
Dunstable Cemetery has set aside burial areas for ashes, known as Gardens of Remembrance. The ashes are placed 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.
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 years and provide an opportunity to have a memorial plaque made up and secured to the front of the Sanctum. See our fees and charges section for further information. Sanctums are a great alternative for those who do not like the idea of burying in the ground.
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.
All planting and maintenance will be the responsibility of the owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial and at their expense. The Council reserves the right to cut down or remove any planting which becomes unsightly or overgrown or if the grave or any adjacent grave needs to be reopened.
If the grave space is left unattended for any significant time the Council reserves the right to remove planting and grass the grave space.
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.
