Grave options
The majority of graves are bought at the time of a burial, usually through a funeral director, who will purchase the grave on your behalf as part of the funeral arrangements.
Graves may also be purchased many years in advance of a burial and often people purchase a grave space if they wish to be buried near loved ones or in a particular part of a cemetery. (Please note this facility is currently not available in Hawarden No 2 Cemetery). If you own a grave please tell us about any changes of address so that we can keep our records up-to-date.
When you buy a grave, you do not buy the land that the grave occupies; you actually pay for leasing the exclusive right of burial for a fixed duration. The person who leases the exclusive right of burial is known as the Grantee. The written consent of the Grantee is required by law before any burial can take place in that particular grave, unless it is the Grantee who is to be buried; there is an assumption in law that the Grantee is entitled to be buried in the grave that he or she owns, providing the grave is suitable for further burials. The land itself remains in the ownership of the Council.
Flintshire County Council also grants the right to erect a memorial in addition to the exclusive right of burial. The Grantee is able to control the style and wording of any memorial placed upon the grave, subject to the Council's memorial regulations and the payment of cemetery fees. As with the exclusive right of burial, the Grantee must give his or her written consent before any memorial works may take place. The right to erect a memorial carries no assumption in law that the Grantee is entitled to be commemorated upon the memorial, which means that when the Grantee dies, a legal transfer of the ownership of the lease to these rights must be completed before any further memorial works can be approved.
You do not have to purchase the exclusive right of burial; adult or infant burials may take place in a public or common grave. It should be remembered, however, that the Council may bury unrelated persons in these graves. Memorials may not be placed upon a public grave. The grave will be maintained as a lawn and nothing must be placed on the grave space.
Types of grave options
There are different types of graves available within our cemeteries; however, not all types are available in every cemetery. We respect the individual needs and choice of each family and, wherever possible, we will endeavour to meet their wishes.
Traditional graves
These graves are suitable for the burial of two adults (or in limited cemeteries, three adults). A single memorial may be placed on the grave. You may buy the exclusive right of burial for 100 years. Cremated remains may also be interred into a traditional grave.
Lawn graves
This type of grave is suitable for two adult interments, although permission may be given for the burial of a baby or infant before the two adults. A single memorial is permitted on this type of grave. The remainder of the grave space will be maintained as a lawn and no plants or other items must be placed in this area. You may buy the exclusive right of burial for 100 years. Cremated remains may also be interred into a lawn grave.
Cremated remains graves
Graves within our cremated remains areas are suitable for the interment of two sets of cremated remains. A small memorial may be placed on the memorial beam at the head of the grave. The remainder of the grave space will be maintained as a lawn. You may buy the exclusive right of burial for a period of 100 years.
Babies / children's burial areas
Within some of our cemeteries an area has been set aside for the burial of neonatal, stillborn and infants up to the age of one month and children up to the age of 16. These graves are suitable for one burial only. As with the cremated remains gardens, a single memorial is permitted.
Further information
List of Cemetery (& Grave) Fees
Cemetery Rules and Regulations
If you would like information on the types of grave available in a particular cemetery or have any questions about the different types of grave please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.