Cremated Remains Graves. As an additional service to the bereaved the Council has provided an area solely for the burial of cremated remains. These graves are currently available at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland Cemetery, Houghton Cemetery, Hetton Cemetery, Washington Cemetery, Castletown Cemetery, Ryhope Cemetery, Southwick Cemetery and Mere Knolls Cemetery  In order to maintain a regular appearance and to ease maintenance a pre-installed memorial base is provided for each grave. Each base has a recess which allows the fitment of an inscribed memorial plaque. This plaque, measuring approximately 300mm x 300mm (12" by 12") can be purchased from any Memorial Mason.

Each grave can accommodate up to 4 sets of cremated remains which will be interred in the grassed area in front of the memorial

The grave is supplied with an integral flower holder - please note that enclosure of the grave or additional flower vases etc. will not be permitted.

Purchase of the Grave

Applications forms for the purchase of a cremated remains grave can be obtained from the Cemeteries Office at the Civic Centre.

The purchaser is entitled to the Exclusive Right of Burial of the grave for a period of fifty years. A deed will be issued to this effect. The purchase fee includes the supply of the memorial base and foundation and the Right to Erect a Memorial, but does not include the burial fee or the provision of the memorial plaque.

Additional inscriptions

The fee for the initial inscription are included in the purchase fee, however any additions or alterations to this inscription will be charged at the normal fee for an additional inscription.