Breadcrumb Trail
Burials
When do burials take place?
Burials may take place in all cemeteries between the hours of:
- 9am - 3pm - Monday - Thursday
- 9am - 1.30pm - Fridays
Chapels are to be found in Urmston Cemetery, Stretford Cemetery and Hale Cemetery. For Dunham Lawn Cemetery the Crematorium Chapel may be used.
Do I own the grave?
You own the exclusive right to bury in the grave but not the actual land it is sited on.
Can I reserve a grave for future use?
No. We do not allow graves to be purchased without interment.
How many people can be buried in a grave?
This depends on the cemetery and the ground conditions at the time of burial. In Trafford, Stretford and some sections of Urmston and Dunham Lawn can only be dug to a depth of 6'6" which is for 2 interments, Sale and other sections of Urmston can be dug to 7'6 or 9' (3 or 4 interments) as a general guide.
How soon after burial can a memorial be erected?
When the grip (head of the grave) is not dug there is no 'waiting/settling' period so a memorial can be erected immediately after burial. However if the grip forms part of the grave area and is dug a waiting period of up to 6 months is recommended. During this time you may make arrangements with a monumental mason to choose your memorial.
Is it true that bodies can be removed from graves?
Yes under certain circumstances. A Coroner may order a body to be exhumed from a grave for further examination. The owner of the right of burial may request an Exhumation (this involves applying for either a license from the Home Office or a Bishops Faculty, or both depending on the circumstances).
Can cremated remains be interred in a grave?
Yes. Cremated Remains can be interred in a grave either in a container (wooden casket) or loosely (it should be noted that should cremated remains be interred loosely no further interments can take place in the grave). The grave owner must give permission for this.
Can cremated remains be scattered over a grave?
No. Cremated remains may not be scattered over the surface of a grave.
When are flowers removed?
Flowers are removed 14 days after a burial has taken place, other floral tributes will be removed when time permits. All Christmas wreaths are removed during the last week of January.
What type of Coffin and Caskets are allowed?
Burials may take place in a wooden coffin or casket, cardboard or wicker coffin, any other type of container is at the discretion of the Cemeteries Manager. No metal coffins or caskets allowed.
Can I request a grave depth?
No guarantee of depth can be given for any grave however every attempt, within the restrictions placed by health and safety, will be made to obtain the requested depth.
How much does a burial cost?
As cemeteries cost a great deal of money to develop and maintain charges are appropriate for the maintenance of the cemeteries in future years. Those residing out of the Trafford district are not elegible for the reduced fee for residents.
Can I bury my loved one in my own garden?
Yes - however there are a number of factors which have to be taken into consideration.
You must comply with Environment Agency Guidelines:
- A burial site must be at least 250 metres away from any well, borehole or spring that supplies water for human consumption or is to be used in dairy farms.
- The site must be at least 30 m from any other spring or water course.
- The site must be at least 10 m away from any field drain draining to a water course.
- The grave must have at least 1m of subsoil below the bottom of the burial cavity allowing a hole deep enough for at least 1m of soil to cover the burial.
- When the burial cavity is first dug it must be free of standing water.
- You must maintain a burial register and simple map of the grave and its occupant/s. (This is a record which must be kept with the property that indicates who is buried on the site, where they were buried and when.
- You are obliged to notify any individual or mortgage company who has an interest in the property as it can seriously affect the property value and saleability of the property. You must hold the freehold of the property where the remains are to be buried.
- There are social implications which may cause difficulties (neighbours may object to a burial taking place and it can effect their property value too).
- If you or future generations should sell the property access to a grave may be restricted or denied by change of ownership.
Can I bury my loved one at sea?
Yes. You would need to apply for a licence from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). There are 3 approved locations:
- Near Newhaven - Sussex
- The Needles Spoil Ground - to the West of the Isle of Wight.
- In the Tynemouth - off the Northumberland Coast.
Who to contact
Bereavement Services
Altrincham Crematorium
Whitehouse Lane
Dunham Massey
Altrincham
WA14 5RH
Email: Altrincham.Crematorium@trafford.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161 928 7771
Fax: 0161 928 6478
This page was last reviewed on 19 October 2009
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