When death occurs many emotions are experienced and those left behind have to decide, amongst many other things, where the final resting place should be for their loved ones, and how best to commemorate their life through a memorial or tribute of some kind.
Please remember to:
- take your time and don't make a hasty decision;
- take advice; and
- discuss the options with your family and friends. It may well be that the deceased has left instructions regarding the funeral and this will help you.
Arranging a funeral yourself: There is no legal reason why you cannot arrange a funeral yourself without the assistance, or partial assistance, from an undertaker.
Traditional burials: This is the type of funeral/burial service we are all most familiar with. The coffin is usually made of wood and is interred in an earthen grave which is later marked by a stone memorial. Arrangements are generally made through a firm of funeral directors, who will provide everything from a simple low cost funeral, to whatever you want, including a horse drawn hearse.
Green burials: ‘Green’ or environmentally friendly burials make use of a biodegradable coffin or shroud and a living memorial by means of a tree, shrub or rosebush. There are limited areas available at both cemeteries that can accommodate this type of interment.
Babies’ graves: All children and babies are now given individual graves in the separate section in Haverhill cemetery. They can, of course, also be buried in family graves if you prefer. There are no more new spaces available in Bury St Edmunds cemetery.
Please note: Until the late 1980s stillborn babies were often buried in unmarked common graves. If you would like to find a baby’s grave please contact the Cemetery Registrar on 01284 757068, who will be pleased to help you.
More information:
Useful external links
- www.naturaldeath.org.uk Information about the Natural death centre
- www.uk-funerals.co.uk search this online directory for a funeral director
- http://www.lastingpost.com/ a comprehensive website with a wide range of information divided into four sections:
- Planning ahead - helps you make personal arrangements for use after your death;
- When death occurs - assists you and your family after the death of a loved one;
- Announcements - enables you to post a notice of death; and
- Everlasting post - where tributes and enduring memorials can be created.
The council is not responsible for the content or views of external websites and accepts no liability for material within them.
For further information contact us at:
Cemeteries Administration Office
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Phone: 01284 757068 or 757635
Fax: 01284 757066
Email: cemetery.service@stedsbc.gov.uk
