Cemeteries

Your nearest cemetery, opening times, crematoria, arrange a burial, cemetery charges and rules, request a plot or plaque, headstones, safety, trace a grave.

Can I report a maintenance issue with a cemetery or churchyard?

We cut the grass, maintain floral areas and keep paths and walkways tidy. If you think we have fallen short of the standard you expect, or if you discover vandalism or desecration at one of our cemeteries, please let us know:

Report a maintenance issue at a cemetery or churchyard

What are the opening times at the council cemeteries?

Summer

The Cemetery opening times for the summer months (1 April to 30 September) are:

  • Weekdays (Monday to Friday) - 8am to 7pm
  • Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and Bank Holidays - 9am to 7pm.

Winter

During the winter months (1 October to 31 March) opening times are:

  • Weekdays (Monday to Friday) - 8am to 4pm
  • Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and Bank Holidays - 9am to 4pm
  • The Cemeteries are open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Does the council run any crematoria?

The council offers a range of options at our crematorium in Holderness. Find out more on the Lelley Fields Crematorium website.

What are the cemetery charges?

Charges 2023/24

Exclusive Rights of Burial
Earthen Grave £1,220
Green Burial (Driffield Only) £1,220
Earthen Grave - Stillborn £100
Earthen Plot (Garden of Rest) £974
Single Burial Plot in Garden of Rest (Queensgate Only) £298
Full Burials (Fees x 2 on Saturday and Sundays subject to staff availability)
Interment of Adult (16 or over) £1,088
Child (Under 16) £282
Stillborn Child (Queensgate Only) £146
Green Burial (Driffield Only) £851
Cremations (Fees x 2 on Saturday and Sundays subject to staff availability)
Cremated Remains of Adult (16 or over) £232
Cremated Remains of Stillborn or Child Under 16 £55
Scattering of Cremated Remains £72
Miscellaneous
Burial Plot Dug Out of Rotation £402
Cremated Remains Plot Dug Out of Rotation £402
Use of Chapel £144
Transfer of Deed of Grant including preparation of Deed of Assignment £88
Right to Place Individual Plaque (Garden of Rest Only) £192
Purchase of Plaque (Including Inscription) + VAT £181
Purchase of Plaque (Including Inscription and Photo) + VAT £264
Exhumation + VAT £5,698
Exhumation of Cremated Remains + VAT £1,432
Right to Erect Headstone for Single Grave up to 18" (45cm) high £134
Right to Erect Headstone for Single Grave exceeding 18" (45cm) high £201

How do I arrange a burial?

The following pdf document provides advice on how to arrange a burial:

Advice on how to arrange a burial (pdf 227kb)

If you are making arrangements through a funeral director, they will take care of everything.

If you are making arrangements yourself, please email the Cemeteries Administration office: cemeteriesadmin@eastriding.gov.uk

If you need to change the Deed of Ownership of an existing grave the following pdf document provides all of the details required to complete this process.

Transfer of Exclusive Rights of Burial (pdf 100kb)

How do I arrange a 'green' burial?

Green burials are a sustainable burial option with a minimal environmental impact. We currently have a Green Burial site at Driffield Cemetery. The following pdf contains more information and details of how to arrange a Green Burial:

Information on Green Burials (pdf 51kb)

How do I arrange getting a headstone onto a grave?

The placement of a headstone or alterations to an existing headstone in an East Riding of Yorkshire Council cemetery can only be carried out by a mason who is accredited by National Association of Memorial Masons.

The mason will submit a permit for work application which can only be authorised by the deed holder for the grave/plot.

The regulations regarding dimensions of a headstone, etc. can be found in the relevant cemetery handbook below.

Why is a headstone laid down or staked in place?

Following a number of fatal accidents involving large headstones and children in cemeteries outside the East Riding, we have reviewed the way in which we manage the memorials within our cemeteries.

Adhering to an inspection programme promoted by the National Association of Memorial Masons, each headstone is given a slight push and if any movement is felt the headstone may not have the correct fixings so has to be staked in place, or if it is really loose and in danger of falling it will be laid down. These are temporary measures until you can get it fixed - usually by the stonemason which supplied your headstone.

Please report a damaged headstone, providing the grave details (found on the back of the headstone) and the name of the deed holder. We will get in touch with you to tell you why the headstone was deemed unsafe, and inform you how you can get it repaired.

Can I trace a grave?

Yes, please call us on (01482) 395880 and we'll be happy to help where possible.

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