Cemeteries - FAQs
Do I own the burial plot?
No. When you purchase a plot, you are purchasing the Exclusive Right of Burial, which gives you the legal right to be buried in that plot and to authorise future interments or memorial works.
The land itself, including the plot and surrounding cemetery grounds, remains the property of the Local Authority.
Does the Exclusive Right of Burial automatically transfer to my next of kin if I pass away?
No. The rights do not transfer automatically.
To transfer ownership, a formal application is required. This process involves a fee.
Please refer to our Transfer of Burial Rights information or contact the Cemeteries Office for guidance.
You can also view our current fees and charges
What if the owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial is being interred?
If the plot owner is the individual being interred, no transfer of ownership is required for the interment to proceed.
However, if you wish to carry out any new memorial work (including additional inscriptions), the plot rights must first be transferred to a living person. A transfer of ownership will be necessary in such cases.
How do I organise a memorial for my plot?
Only the current owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial may authorise or commission memorial works.
To arrange a memorial:
- 1. Contact an approved memorial mason - View approved memorial masons
- 2. Review the cemetery’s memorial regulations - View regulations
- 3. Submit a Memorial Permit Application, signed by all living owners of the plot.
A fee applies for the permit and is typically handled by the memorial mason on your behalf.
Who is responsible for the safety of a memorial?
While Runnymede Borough Council is responsible for overall cemetery safety, the memorial owner is legally responsible for the structural integrity of the memorial.
If a memorial is found to be unsafe, the Cemeteries Office may:
- Cordone off the area,
- Lay the memorial flat, or
- Install a temporary safety support.
These actions are taken to prevent risk of injury or damage.
This form helps us improve the content and structure of our webpages only, and we cannot provide a response to any submission below.