 |
Bereavement Services |
| Torbay Council | |
| Cemetery & Crematorium Hele Road Torquay TQ2 7QG | |
 |
cemetery.cremato rium@torbay.gov. uk |
 | 01803 327768 |
 | 01803 326693 |
| Additional Contact Details | |
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Buying a grave
Buying a Grave
We appreciate that during this difficult time you will have to make important decisions about the cemetery and grave you want for the funeral. The following information will help you make your choice.
- How do I find out about local graves?
- How do I buy a grave?
- How long can I buy a grave for?
- Who can buy a grave?
- When can burials take place?
- Can I bury cremated remains in the cemeteries?
- Are all the graves on consecrated ground?
- What is the difference between unpurchased and purchased graves?
How do I find out about local graves?
Email or telephone us using the contact details on the right. At Torquay Crematorium office we hold the records for Torquay Cemetery and Paignton Cemetery. All local churches hold their own burial records. We need teh name and date of death to locate the grave as we have over 155 years of hand written records. If they do not know the date of death they can contact the registrar’s office at Oldway Mansions, if the deceased was a local resident. We do not currently charge for this service.
How do I buy a grave?
Normally, your funeral director will help to make the necessary arrangements for buying a grave. Some people may want to make their own arrangements at the time of the funeral. You can organise this by directly contacting us. 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.
How long can I buy a grave for?
In the cemeteries we manage, the exclusive right of burial is sold for 100 years. These are known as 'purchased graves'.
Who can buy a grave?
Only people who live in Torbay can buy a grave space in the borough's cemeteries.
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.
Can I bury cremated remains in the cemeteries?
Yes, there are memorial gardens for cremated remains at each of our cemeteries. Cremated remains can also be placed in purchased graves.
Are all the graves on consecrated ground?
Most of our cemeteries have consecrated (blessed as sacred) and unconsecrated areas where you can buy graves. The consecrated ground is consecrated by the Church of England.
What is the difference between unpurchased and purchased graves?
Unpurchased grave
An unpurchased grave, sometimes known as a public or common grave, is where the right to burial cannot be bought and the Council has total control of the grave.
These graves can be bought within three years of the last burial. The Council will decide who will be buried in the grave and this might not be members of the same family.
No memorial rights exist on public graves so no headstone or other memorial can be put up.
Memorials
We know how important memorials are as a lasting symbol of remembrance. We offer technical advice and help to make sure that all memorials meet cemetery regulations.