There are several types of graves available in the 10 cemeteries within the City. This leaflet outlines the main types, but for full details please ask at the Cemeteries Reception Desk or contact us on 0191 5531687 or 0191 5531708.

Maintenance Works

The maintenance standard is of comparable quality in all of our cemeteries, whatever type of grave is chosen. You should be aware that on occasions, access to a particular grave may be unavoidably obstructed when work is taking place, particularly if this involves an interment in an adjacent grave. The contractor will make every effort to minimise any inconvenience and will restore the area on completion of the work.

Purchased Grave ('CC' Wards)

The applicant purchases the Exclusive Right of Burial in this grave, effectively forming a private grave and giving the family of the deceased control of any future burials in that grave. The owner of the Right must give written permission before any burial can take place in a purchased grave.

The Exclusive Right has a fixed term - currently 100 years after which time control of the grave is returned to Sunderland City Council. The Right is, in essence, a lease and does not imply ownership of the ground, or confer any additional entitlement.

A grave must be purchased before a memorial can be erected on it. An additional fee for the Right to Erect a Memorial must also be paid (usually included in the Memorial Mason's fees). This Right terminates on the expiry of the Exclusive Right of Burial.

Un-purchased Graves ('A' Wards)

These are also known as 'Common' or 'Public' graves. The Council retains control of the burials in these graves. Burial Law used to require a 14 year interval between successive burials in one of these graves, (unless the deceased were from the same family). This law has since been repealed, but the above practice has been continued.

The erection of a fixed memorial is not permitted on an un-purchased grave, however the grave can be 'purchased out of common' at a later date if a member of the family decides that they want to fit a memorial to the grave.

A loose memorial, such as a small vase can be placed on a grave without charge.

Lawn Graves (All 'LS' Wards, and all of Houghton, Hetton and Easington Lane Cemeteries)

Lawn Sections were introduced in the early 1970's. The intention was to provide a system of graves where the space between the memorials would be maintained as open lawn. This would allow unobstructed access for visitors, including those with disabilities and would greatly reduce the maintenance problems caused by kerbed enclosures of traditional Victorian graves. The original strict Lawn Section Regulations have been relaxed to allow the the family more choice for commemorating the deceased. The area immediately in front of the memorial (approximately 12 inches deep extending to the full width of the grave) may be planted with flowers. These should be small low growing varieties - roses, shrubs and conifers are not permitted. A small enclosure may be fitted to the grave provided that this is done in accordance with our current guidance on the installation of enclosures.

Most of the Lawn Section graves are laid out with the memorials 'back to back'. This arrangement allows easier access to the section than a 'traditional' layout, and the stability of the double row of memorials is less likely to be affected by the settlement of the graves. However purchasers should be aware that the memorial will be at the 'foot' of the grave on each alternate row. If this is considered important we can arrange for the orientation of the coffin to be reversed at the time of burial. Please contact the Cemeteries Office for details.

There is no obligation to purchase the Exclusive Right of Burial unless the family wish to erect a fixed memorial on the grave. 

Children's Graves

Whilst children can be buried in any full sized grave in our cemeteries we do provide small graves specifically for the burial of babies and children in all of our cemeteries. 

Cremated Remains Graves

A system of graves specifically for the burial of cremated remains is available. Details of these graves are given separately.

Fees and Charges