title="Groby Parish Council in Leicestershire">
clerk. 

Council Offices
Village Hall, Leicester Road
Groby
Leicester LE6 0DQ
   t.
   e.
0116 287 6985
parishclerk@groby.com

A-Z of Services  »  Buying A Grave

Services provided in the local area by the Parish Council and other organisations. 

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Buying A Grave

Buying a grave

Frequently asked questions

When can a grave be purchased?

A grave may be purchased at any time but is generally purchased by the funeral director on behalf of the relatives after a bereavement. It is customary for the nearest surviving relative of a deceased person to be nominated as the purchaser.

When I purchase the grave, do I own the land?

The term "buying a grave space" is often used and can be misunderstood. You do not actually own the land itself. The ownership of the cemetery land remains with the Council. What is actually being purchased is the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial in a grave space.

As a registered owner of the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial, you have the automatic right to be buried in the grave. You may also allow others to be buried in the grave (space permitting).

Normally, your funeral director will help to make the necessary arrangements for buying a grave. If you prefer to make your own arrangements we will be happy to advise you. If you would like to view the section of the cemetery where the burial is to take place before the funeral, we will arrange for a member of staff to meet with you on the site.

If you would like to purchase the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial, please download the application form which can be found under Parish Information - Village Cemetery 

How much does it cost? You can download a list of cemetery fees also under under Parish Information - Village Cemetery 

Purchased grave

A purchased grave is where the right of burial can be bought for a period of 85 years. The owner of the right of burial can decide who will be buried in the grave. It may not be sold on or used for any other person, other than by members of the holder’s immediate family (e.g. parent, spouse/partner, brother, sister or child, including step family members).

Lawn Style Graves - these graves allow for lawn style headstones and the area allowed for personalisation is reserved for the head of the grave. These graves are laid to grass and the cemetery team will mow the area on a regular basis. It is not permitted to place items that encroach onto the grassed area as this impinges on maintenance and also causes hazards for others visiting an area that they presume to be purely grassed.

Childrens/Infants graves - these are 8' x 3' graves and are used for the interment of infants. They are lawn style and do not allow for further burials.

Cremated Remains Graves - these are individual 3' x 3' graves which allow for two sets of cremated remains to be buried in each plot. The grave is again lawn style.

The graves are all in predesignated areas and as such it is imperative that you advise your funeral director of which type of grave you require before interment as it is not possible to change your mind afterwards.

When can burials take place?

Burials can take place on any weekday, except on bank holidays. Please talk to your funeral director or contact us to discuss any specific needs.

What happens to the grave following the burial?


Following an interment the ground will continue to subside for six months. As soon as practicable the grave will be levelled, grassed over and maintained by the council with regular grass cutting.

What can I place on the grave?

Relatives may if they wish place vases within the top border at the head of the grave. To enable the cemetery section to be maintained to a high standard and to open graves for future burials the following are deemed as unauthorised items as they are not grave furniture, can impede health and safety and grounds maintenance, can become a nuisance if they become loose during inclement weather and can cause distress if found on someone else’s grave plot:

What memorials can be placed on the grave?

Memorials on lawned graves, subject to approval by the council, may be erected at the head of the grave. To ensure the safety of the memorial and cemetery users all memorials have to be fixed to NAMM Standards. Please refer to memorial information.

When do I receive the Grave Deed?

After the purchase of a new grave, the person nominated as the grave owner will receive a document called the ‘ Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial’.

This Grant or ‘Grave Deed’ reserves the owner the right of burial in the grave specified.

What happens when the grant owner dies?

When the grant owner dies, the Right of Burial will pass to the heirs of the estate. To enable the transfer of ownership to be arranged, the heirs of the estate should notify the council in writing.

It is strongly advised that the grave deeds be transferred, as this will avoid difficulties in the future if the grave has to be re-opened or an inscription is to be added to the memorial.

Page last updated: 25 August, 2021