Planning a funeral isn’t just emotional, it also involves practical decisions that can feel overwhelming. One of the most important of these is understanding burial and cemetery fees, which are set locally. Each council authority establishes its own charges for grave purchase, interment (burial), ashes plots and additional services. This means costs can vary significantly depending on where the burial is taking place. 

How Burial Fees Work  

Burial costs normally consist of: 

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

• Interment fee - the cost for the burial service itself 

Additional charges may apply for: 

• Burial of cremated remains 

• Re-opening a family grave 

• Weekend or bank holiday burials 

• Oversized coffins or vault spaces 

• Memorial foundations and headstone permits 

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

East Midlands: Councils, Cemeteries & Official Burial Fee Links 

Derbyshire 

• South Derbyshire - https://www.southderbyshire.gov.uk/our-services/births-marriages-and-deaths/deaths/burial-fees 

• Derby City Council https://www.derby.gov.uk/community-and-living/deaths-funerals-cremations/funerals/cemetery-crematorium-charges/cemetery/#page-1  

• Amber Valley Borough Council 
  https://www.ambervalley.gov.uk/community/birth-marriages-and-deaths/deaths-burials-and-cemeteries/cemeteries/  

• Bolsover District Council 
  https://www.oldbolsovertowncouncil.gov.uk/burials  

• Chesterfield - https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/living-here/people-and-families/bereavement-services/cemeteries-and-churchyards/cemetery-fees-and-charges/  

• Erewash Borough Council 
  https://www.erewash.gov.uk/your-borough/cemeteries  

• High Peak Borough Council 
  https://www.highpeak.gov.uk/article/7471/Burials  

• North East Derbyshire https://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/environmental-health/services-and-provisions/cemeteries 

Nottinghamshire 

• Nottingham City Council 
  https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/media/bsclo3mj/nottingham-city-council-interment-fees-and-charges-2025-26.pdf 

• Ashfield District Council 
  home/burials-and-cremations/ 
  https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/your-council/financial-information/fees-and-charges-2025-to-2026/  

• Bassetlaw District Council 
  https://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/community-and-living/cemeteries-in-bassetlaw/cemetery-fees-and-charges/  

• Broxtowe Borough Council 
  https://www.bramcotebereavement.org/cemeteries/  

• Gedling Borough Council 
  https://www.gedling.gov.uk/funerals-and-cemeteries/cemetery-fees-and-charges  

• Mansfield District Council 
  See page 19 of https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/downloads/file/5312/fees-and-charges-2025-26  

• Newark & Sherwood District Council 
  Newark Town Council https://www.newark.gov.uk/services/town-council-services/burial-grounds/  

• Ollerton & Boughton https://ollerton-tc.gov.uk/what-we-do/cemetery/  

• Rushcliffe Borough Council 
  There doesn't seem to currently be the option for new burials or cremations in Rushcliffe https://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/about-us/about-the-council/freedom-of-information/foi-responses-burials-and-cremations/foi-responses-burials-and-cremations-2022/979547/  

Lincolnshire & Rutland 

• Lincolnshire County Council 
  https://woodhallspaparishcouncil.gov.uk/council-business/cemetery-fees-2024  

• Boston Borough Council - https://www.boston.gov.uk/media/24755/Bereavement-Services-Fees-and-Charges-2025-2026/pdf/BEREAVEMENT_SERVICES_FEES__CHARGES_2025-2026_All.pdf?m=1743523796537  

• City of Lincoln Council 
  https://www.lincoln.gov.uk/downloads/download/81/bereavement-services-fees-and-charges  

• East Lindsey District Council 
  No information available on their website https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/  

• North Kesteven District Council 
  No information available on cemeteries or fees https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/health-education-people/crematorium-cemeteries  

• South Kesteven District Council 
  No information available on cemeteries or fees https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/  

• South Holland District Council 
  https://www.sholland.gov.uk/article/5837/Spalding-Cemetery  

• West Lindsey District Council 
  https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/health-education-family/funerals-cemeteries/buying-grave-ordering-memorial 

• Rutland County Council 
  Oakham cemetery fees https://www.rutland.gov.uk/births-deaths-ceremonies/oakham-cemetery-services/cemetery-fees-charges  

What to Check When Comparing Burial Fees 

When reviewing council burial charges, always look for: 

• Resident vs non-resident pricing 

• Length of the Exclusive Right of Burial 

• Fees for reopening existing family graves 

• Costs for ashes burial vs full burial 

• Weekend and bank holiday surcharge fees 

• Memorial and headstone license or foundation charges 

If burial fees are not clearly published online, councils will usually provide a full price list on request. 

Planning Tips

• Confirm which council cemetery will be used before agreeing to costs. 

• Ask whether the deceased qualifies for resident rates. 

• Request a written breakdown of burial fees from the council or funeral director. 

• Consider whether burial of cremated remains or an existing family plot might be a more affordable option. 

• Keep grave deeds and burial rights documents safe for future reference. 

How The Farewell Guide Can Help 

At The Farewell Guide, we support families through every stage of funeral planning with clarity and care. Our free platform allows you to: 

• Find and compare trusted local funeral directors 

• Record and share funeral wishes in advance 

Whether you are arranging a funeral now or planning ahead, The Farewell Guide is here to support you with practical information and compassionate help.