Why can't I have what I want on the grave?

When a new grave is purchased it is not the ownership of the land itself that is purchased, but the rights to have burials take place in that grave. These rights are sold, or to be more correct, 'granted' together with the rights to erect a memorial on the grave in accordance with the rules and regulations of the cemetery.


It is important that you select the cemetery that will provide you with the type of memorial that you require as regulations differ from area to area. This can be checked out by contacting the cemetery office and making inquiries about the choices and options available.

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1. I want to bury cremated remains into the grave. Why do I have to decide whether there will be any more burials before this can be done?
2. Why can't I have what I want on the grave?
3. What happens if/when all the owners have died?
4. Who is responsible for the memorial?
5. I am told the grave is for two people. There is only one person in the grave and I now want two more burials to take place in the grave. How does this work?
6. I own the grave. Can anyone else be buried in it if I don't want them to?
7. I've got a lawn grave. When will I be able to put a memorial onto it?
8. Can anyone witness the grave being filled?
9. I understand that some people wait while the grave is filled in. Why is this?
10. Are graves filled in straight after a funeral or are they left to the next day?
11. Why are there so many different types of graves available at some cemeteries?
12. It’s distressing to see the coffin go down so deep. Why are graves dug so deep?