Burials

Most burials are in cemeteries or churchyards, but sometimes people ask for burials on private land, for example, farmland or gardens.

You must:

• get permission to complete a burial where you are not the landowner
• tell any individual or mortgage company that has an interest in the property
• consider that access to the grave could be denied or restricted by change of ownership

The site must:

• have a deep water table
• be far enough away from watercourses to avoid pollution
• avoid electrical or other services

A limited number of burials will not be classed as a change of use and don't need planning approval. If you plan to fence or mark grave with a memorial, you might need planning permission.

You must:

• take care to excavate the grave and lower the coffin safely
• cover the coffin with soil to a depth of 3ft (90cms)

Farmland burial

The grave can be sited away from neighbours or the public and so should not cause offence. One or two burials generally don't need planning permission, but more than this might need planning approval for use as a cemetery or for mixed use if farming continues.

Garden burial

You must consider the effect a garden burial might have on your neighbours. They could be offended, uncomfortable or even horrified.

Bear in mind:

• this might not pose legal objections but could damage relationships with neighbours
• a house with a grave could reduce in value and put off future buyers