Burial and cemetery charges are set locally by councils and vary widely depending on location, residency status and the type of service required. 

Each council acts as the burial authority for its area, setting charges for grave purchase (the Exclusive Right of Burial), interment (the actual burial), burial of cremated remains and additional services such as memorial foundations or weekend burials. 

This guide brings together all local authorities across the West Midlands region, with links to council pages where you can check the most up-to-date burial and cemetery fees while planning a funeral. 

How Burial Fees Work 

Most burial-related charges consist of: 

• Exclusive Right of Burial — the right to use a gravespace for a fixed period (often 50–100 years) 

• Interment fee — cost of the burial service taking place 

Additional charges may apply for: 

• Re-opening an existing lair/grave 

• Burial of cremated remains 

• Weekend or bank holiday burials 

• Oversized coffins or vault plots 

• Memorial foundations / headstone approvals 

Many authorities charge higher fees for non-residents, so it’s worth checking whether resident rates apply. If a council doesn’t publish a full fee table online, they typically provide one on request. 

West Midlands: Councils, Cemeteries & Official Burial Fee Links 

Metropolitan Authorities 

• Birmingham City Council https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1562/fees_and_charges_in_respect_of_the_municipal_cemeteries_and_crematoria  

• Coventry City Council 
  https://www.coventry.gov.uk/deaths-1/cemetery-fees-charges  

• Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council 
  https://www.dudley.gov.uk/online-payments-enquiries/directory-of-fees-and-charges/?view=54529  

• Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/burials-cremations/new-bereavement-services-price-information  

• Walsall Council 
  https://go.walsall.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/deaths-and-funerals/bereavement-services-fees-  

• Wolverhampton City Council 
  https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/bereavement-services/burial  

Shropshire, Herefordshire & Staffordshire 

Note: In areas with two-tier local government (county + district councils), district councils are usually responsible for cemetery services and burial charges. 

• Shropshire Council 
  https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/bereavement-services/burials-cemeteries-and-crematorium/  

• Herefordshire Council  

• https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/community/births-deaths-and-marriages/cemeteries-and-burials/  

• Staffordshire County Council 

• https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Births-deaths-and-marriages/Death-and-bereavement/Funerals.aspx  

• East Staffordshire Borough Council 
  https://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/cemeteries/cemetery-fees-and-charges  

• Lichfield District Council - Lichfield District Council does not own, run, or manage any graveyards or cemeteries 

• Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council  https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/bereavement/price-lists 

• South Staffordshire District Council 
  https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/bereavement-services/cemetery-fees-and-charges  

• Stafford Borough Council 
  https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/bereavement-services-buying-a-grave  

• Tamworth Borough Council 
  https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/environment/cemetery-fees  

Worcestershire & Warwickshire 

Note: As with Staffordshire, some burial services are operated at district/borough level. 

• Bromsgrove District Council 
  Bromsgrove’s Bereavement Services are a shared service hosted by Redditch Borough Council. https://www.redditchbc.gov.uk/residents/living/bereavement-services/ 

• Malvern Hills District Council 
  https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/births-deaths-marriages-civil-partnerships-and-citizenship/death-registration-services  

• Redditch Borough Council 
  https://www.redditchbc.gov.uk/residents/living/bereavement-services/ 

• Worcester City Council 
  https://www.worcestercemeteries.co.uk/service-information/burials-cremation-fees/  

• Wyre Forest District Council 
  https://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/community-and-environment/health-and-wellbeing/life-events/cemeteries-and-crematorium/cemetery-fees-and-charges/  

• Warwickshire County Council 
  https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20645/oakley_wood_crematorium/1168/fees_for_oakley_wood_crematorium/2  

• North Warwickshire Borough Council 

  • Atherstone - https://www.atherstone-tc.gov.uk/cemetery/  
  • Coleshill - https://coleshilltowncouncil.gov.uk/cemetery  
  • Solihull https://www.solihull.gov.uk/births-marriages-deaths-cemeteries-and-citizenship/deaths/cemeteries-solihull  

• Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council https://www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/cemeteries-crematorium/cemetery-fees-charges/3 . 

• Rugby Borough Council https://www.rugby.gov.uk/w/bereavement-services-fees-and-charges-20212022?p_l_back_url=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dburial%2Bfees&p_l_back_url_title=Search  

• Stratford-on-Avon District Council 
  https://stratford-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cemetery-Charges-2025-Accessible-Copy.pdf  

• Warwick District Council 
  https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20639/deaths  

What to Check When Comparing Burial Fees 

When reviewing council burial charges, always look for: 

• Resident vs non-resident charges 

• Length of the Exclusive Right of Burial 

• Costs for re-opening an existing grave 

• Burials of cremated remains vs full burials 

• Weekend or bank holiday surcharge fees 

• Memorial and headstone charges 

Burial fees across the West Midlands can vary significantly depending on the council, cemetery and type of service. If burial fees are not clearly listed online, councils will usually provide a full price list on request, or via your funeral director.