Storing or scattering cremated remains

Storing or scattering cremated remains

Options available at Kingston or Surbiton Cemetery

We provide a variety of ways to store cremated remains at our cemeteries in Kingston and Surbiton. We will gladly talk through the choices with you to decide what is best. You can also commemorate the resting place of a loved one with a memorial in our grounds at any time.

If you have no instructions or wishes for the cremated remains they will rest in our care for three months from the date of cremation and then reverently scattered in the gardens of remembrance.

Options available at our cemeteries in Kingston and Surbiton 

Private garden

You may like to bury the cremated remains in a small, circular, private garden created especially for the purpose. The garden contains a dwarf conifer and a fully inscribed granite plaque with emblem in gold leaf which is inset into a rustic boulder with gold topped flower vase.

You can choose from a selection of natural stone chippings to dress the garden surface. The stones give colour to the garden all year round. The garden is maintenance free and can be purchased for 75 years. A Private Garden accepts up to two caskets.

Niche wall space

Alternatively you may like to place the cremated remains in a niche wall space. A niche space may be leased for a renewable 10 year period. Each niche has space for two caskets. The niche is provided with a polished black granite plaque with a gold inscription. There is no fee for placement of the caskets within the niche.

Garden of Remembrance

Cremated remains can be placed in the Garden of Remembrance – they are not buried but placed loose on the ground. We keep a record of where they were placed so you may visit it in the future. The space is not private and in time it will be used again for other cremated remains.

The garden does not offer the focal point provided by a plot or private garden as decorations or memorials (gravestones or memorial plaques); cannot be placed with the remains. Instead we invite you to place cut flowers (without wrappings) in the garden or to dedicate a memorial within the cemetery or other special place.

The placement of cremated remains in the Garden of Remembrance usually happens one month after cremation unless you have specifically requested otherwise. You may make an appointment to witness the placement or instruct us to do so on your behalf.

Options available at our cemetery in Kingston only

Cremation plot in a lawn grave

These are laid out in formal rows and each plot accepts up to 4 caskets which are buried beneath a concrete slab. A small memorial can be placed upon the slab. We can offer contact details for approved masons or you may like to discuss the options with your funeral director. These graves can be purchased for 50 years.

Cremation plot in a traditional grave

These are set back to back with a space between each pair for privacy. You may choose from various decorative options - a choice of memorial, kerb set, decorative infill, foundation, fully inscribed in gold leaf with 80 free letters/numbers. A traditional grave accepts up to two caskets and can be purchased for 50 years.

Existing family grave space

You may bury, or surface place, cremated remains in an existing family grave space. Burial usually takes place at the head or foot of the grave to leave space for the future burial of coffins. To use an existing family grave space we need the written consent of the Registered Grave Owner. If the grave owner is deceased then a new owner will have to be registered. Please let us know if you need help with this process.

Bury or scatter cremated remains yourself

Alternatively you may remove the remains from our care for safe keeping elsewhere. (If you remove them you can still decide to place them back in our care at a later date).

The applicant for cremation or authorised representative can collect the remains from our care. Before releasing the remains, we will ask for identification (passport or drivers licence) and for a release form to be signed. If you have not purchased a container from your funeral director or ourselves we will provide a free container (which is suitable for postage).

All containers will be provided with the deceased's identity as well as a Certificate of Cremation. If you are giving the remains into the care of another cemetery or crematorium they will ask for the certificate.

You may also bury or scatter the remains on land that you own – in your garden for example. Another option is to scatter them in a place favoured by the person who has died – a favourite walk, a football ground or at sea. You will need permission to do this – please ask for us advice.

Things to consider

When choosing from burial options for cremated remains

  • Graves are offered within a specified area which is covered by detailed grave plans and a precise grave numbering system.
  • A register of all purchases and burials is maintained and available for inspection.
  • A Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial (title deed) is issued for each purchase, setting out details of the grave owner, the cemetery, burial section, individual grave number and period of grant. Please inform us when you change address so we can maintain accurate records and contact you if needs be.
  • Where you are not the grave owner it is unlawful to open the grave or scatter remains upon it without the written consent of the owner. The possession of the title deed does not, in itself, mean a person has the right of burial in a grave. If the grave owner is deceased then a new owner will have to be registered. Please let us know if you need help with this process.

When placing memorials on a grave space

  • Memorial works can only be carried out with the written consent of the Registered Owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial. Your stonemason will provide the necessary form for you to sign. All information will be checked prior to issuing a permit for the work.
  • Memorials need to be fixed securely and follow the approved fixing methods of the National Association of Memorial Masons. If the mason does not follow the approved method we will not allow them to work in our cemeteries.
  • We have a list of masons who have agreed to follow the guidance of the National Association of Memorial Masons and are approved to work within our cemeteries. The approved mason list is available on request.
  • We recommend you seek quotations from a variety of masons before purchasing a memorial (gravestone or memorial plaque).
  • As the grave owner is responsible for memorial safety and repairs (including those incurred through vandalism) you may like to consider insuring your memorial.
  • Memorials should be checked regularly. Most stonemasons will be pleased to inspect your memorial and produce a free quotation for renovation work if required.
  • If you are not the grave owner you may still be able to arrange for necessary works to be carried out to ensure that the memorial on the grave you visit will be safe.
  • If a memorial is proven to be damaged by us – perhaps due to grass cutting, grave digging or other ground works – we will make amends and repair the memorial.

Find out more about memorials at: Memorials with Kingston or Surbiton Cemetery

If you change your mind

If you make a decision but then change your mind at a later date – you will need the change of instruction authorised in writing by the applicant for cremation (the person who signs the application form). If you need any help with this please let us know.

 

Last Modified: 05/03/2020 11:28:55