Buying a grave or cremation plot

A grave space or cremation plot can only be purchased for an imminent funeral. They cannot be purchased in advance or reserved. For more information please see:

• Burial Ground Regulations (388KB)

There are various types of grave available, depending on whether you choose to bury or cremate the deceased:

Graves

Graves are for the burial of  up to two coffins. Deeper graves to accommodate three coffins can be arranged but an additional fee applies.

When purchasing a grave you can choose whether to have a lawn or traditional grave. We offer options at the following cemeteries:

• Durrington Cemetery - lawn graves and traditional graves
• Lancing and Sompting Cemetery - traditional graves
• Mill Lane Cemetery, Shoreham-by-Sea - lawn graves and traditional graves
• Southwick Cemetery - traditional graves

Lawn graves: These allow for a memorial to be placed at the head of the grave. Lawn graves do not have kerbs which allows for the cemetery grass to be maintained.

Traditional graves: These allow for a larger memorial than a lawn grave, as well as a grave surround or stone slab covering the grave area. Within the kerb surround family may place suitable planting such as annual bedding or small shrubs and the area will be maintained by the family.

In Lancing and Sompting cemetery, Mill Lane Cemetery and Southwick Cemetery there are separate Church of England, Roman Catholic and Non-Conformist sections. 

Cremated remains graves

These are for the burial of cremated remains caskets and when purchasing a plot you can choose to have lawn or traditional:

• Durrington Cemetery - lawn cremation plots and traditional cremation plots
• Lancing and Sompting Cemetery - lawn cremation plots
• Mill Lane Cemetery, Shoreham-by-Sea - lawn cremation plots
• Southwick Cemetery - traditional cremation plots

Lawn cremation plot: These can accommodate up to two ashes caskets and allow for a desk shaped tablet memorial.

Traditional cremation plot: These can accommodate up to four ashes caskets and allow space for a larger memorial.

Apply to buy a grave or cremation plot

• Notice of Interment form - cremation plot and grave (151KB)
• Application form - Exclusive Rights of Burial (EROB) for lawn grave, traditional grave or mausoleum (296KB)
• Application form - Exclusive Rights of Burial (EROB) for cremation plot (279KB)

Reopening of graves

Burials may be accommodated in graves that have been previously purchased. To use a grave that is already purchased you must be the registered grave owner.

Grave ownership does not automatically pass to someone else when the grave owner dies.

If the registered grave owner is alive they must sign for the reopening of their grave. If the grave owner is deceased and is being buried in their grave, their nearest surviving relative must sign.

Legal requirements

Whether you choose to arrange a burial or cremation for the deceased you are required by law to submit any relevant legal documentation and certificates to Bereavement Services prior to any interment.

All fees and charges must be paid at least four working days before interment.

For information on burial fees and charges please see:

• Bereavement services - fees and charges

For more information on what kind of memorials can be placed on graves please see:

• Memorials on graves

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