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Burial or Cremation

Whether you choose a Burial or a Cremation Service, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Funeral Services will make all the necessary arrangements on your behalf.

Burial
Listed below are some things to consider about a burial:

  • Is there an existing family grave or plot? If so, we can arrange for this to be reopened.
  • Is there an existing Memorial on the grave or plot? If so, we can arrange for this to be removed prior to the burial and replaced afterwards.
  • Who is the registered owner of the grave or plot deeds? Maybe the owner of the grave or plot is the deceased; in this case, the burial is referred to as – Owner Burial.
  • Unfortunately in some areas of the UK, burial space may no longer be available or is limited to local residents. In some cases, burials of non-residents maybe charged double fees, which can be very expensive.
  • Some burial sites do allow you to reserve and purchase a grave or plot.
  • Before you reserve or purchase a grave or plot, check with the burial site to the number of years included in the Rights of Burial. These vary and the number of years can range from 10 to 100 years.
  • Woodland Burials are now available in many areas in the Country, and we can advise you of these.
  • Many Cemeteries have their own Chapel where you may hold a Service prior to the interment. Alternatively you may wish to hold the Service in Church and in some instances, at the Funeral
    Directors premises.
  • If the Memorial is removed for the interment, it may not be permitted to be replaced on the grave for a period of anything from six to twelve months. This is to allow for the ground to settle.
  • After the burial you may wish to have an additional inscription added to an existing Memorial, or purchase a new Memorial. Either way, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Funeral Services can assist you with either.

There are three categories of burial ground, each governed by their own Rules and Regulations:

  1. Churchyards.
  2. Cemeteries administered by
    Local Authorities.
  3. Privately owned burial sites including
    Woodland Burial.

There are at least five different types of
grave to consider:

1. Lawn Grave - These are laid out in the normal way, however, restrictions are placed on the type of memorial allowed. A small border being prepared at the head or foot of the grave in which a memorial in the shape of a headstone or vase may be placed. The actual grave maybe grassed to enable the cemetery staff to maintain the area as a lawn.

 

2. Traditional Grave - This type of grave can accommodate a full memorial which covers the whole grave space, often in the form of a headstone with kerbs. The enclosed area is covered in chippings, grassed, laid out as a flower bed or slabbed. Unfortunately, not many cemeteries allow this type of grave, due to the high cost of maintenance.

3. Public or Common Grave - This type of grave is not purchased, the only fee payable being the cost of the interment. There are many restrictions with this type of grave such as, there maybe other un-related deceased already buried in this grave, there is no guarantee that other members of your family may be interred in the grave, and that no form of memorial can be placed on the grave.

4. Brick Grave - This type of grave which is prepared in the traditional way are lined with brick. The grave is customarily rectangular in shape, and after the interment has taken place, it is normally sealed with concrete or stone slabs.

5. Family Vault - This type of grave is essentially a closed ‘room’ built of masonry, either completely underground or subterranean. After the interment, the coffin is sealed in the chamber with masonry and could be left exposed or behind iron grills. This type of grave has normally been in the family for many generations.

Cremation
Listed below are a few things to consider
about a cremation:

  • Cremation usually costs less than a burial.
  • The Funeral Service can be held at the Crematorium Chapel or elsewhere, for example, Church and in some instances, at the Funeral Directors premises, followed by a Committal Service being held at the Crematorium Chapel.
  • There is a strict time limit for the length of the Service at the Crematorium, unless you book double time.
  • You will need to decide upon the final resting place of the cremated remains. These can be either scattered or interred at the Crematorium, interred in a family grave (grave owner authority will be required) or you may decide to scatter them privately at a favourite place. If requested, the Crematorium can hold the cremated remains on temporary deposit for anything up to one month.
  • Many Cemeteries and Churchyards have a designated area within their grounds for the burial of cremated remains; these are referred to as Cremation Plots. In some instances, a Memorial is permitted to be placed onto the plot.
  • You may wish for the cremated remains to be scattered or buried at Sea, or even, forwarded to a family member living abroad.

Whether you choose a Burial or Cremation, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Funeral Services are here to guide and assist you through every step of the arrangements.
Chelmsford Star Co-operative Funeral Services funerals@chelmsfordstar.coop