Burial Services

A burial service is usually held after a funeral which takes place at another venue such as a chapel, church or another alternative venue.

This guide to burials provides an overview of what’s involved.

What paperwork is required for a burial?

When arranging a burial, there is a small amount of paperwork required in order to proceed. We can assist with that at Tom Owen and Son. This includes a Burial Certificate and the Burial Plot Application Form.

The Burial Certificate is known as the Green form and is obtained when you register the death with the Registrar.

The Burial Plot Application Form is required if you wish to purchase a new grave or re-open an existing one. If Exclusive Rights of Burial are owned for the grave (and this can be proved by producing the Deed of Exclusive Rights of Burial) or evidence showing you have the Burial Rights then arrangements can be made for an interment. Don’t worry if you don’t have this paperwork to hand, our team can assist with this.

What happens at the burial service?

Burial services can be held in a:

Cemetery;
Churchyard;
Woodland burial ground.

Depending upon your beliefs, the service can be religious or non-religious. The burial can follow a separate funeral service held in a place of worship or a separate alternative venue. The hearse or alternative vehicle will take the coffin to the burial plot.

The burial plot will usually have been prepared in advance to ensure the correct size to accommodate the coffin.

If you have opted for a burial service, there will be a few words or a blessing said at the grave side. It is a tradition to scatter soil on the coffin once it has been lowered, however it is becoming more common for flowers and petals to be used instead.

For more information on our woodland burial option please click here.