Exclusive Rights of Burial

Purchasing the 'Exclusive Right of Burial' gives the purchaser control over further burials in the grave should space allow, and the opportunity to erect any memorials that may be placed on the grave (following submission of an application to Sunderland City Council and approval being granted).

The Exclusive Right of Burial does not grant ownership of the land.

The term for Exclusive Rights of Burial is 100 years.

The bearer of the exclusive rights of burial is bound by the Cemetery and Crematorium Regulations, and is responsible for maintaining the grave and any memorial in a safe condition.

The registered owner of the exclusive rights of burial can transfer ownership to another person by completing a Form of Assignment. The Cemeteries will amend the Grave Register on receiving the completed  form. There may be a fee applied for administration.

Where the registered deed holder is deceased and the ownership of the exclusive rights of burial has not been bequeathed in a Will or letters of legal assignment, then another person, normally the next of kin, may claim ownership of the exclusive rights of burial. This is achieved by completion of a Statutory Declaration, which sets out the reasons why the claimant is entitled to ownership of the rights.