Burial Services and Cemeteries

The Town Council manages three cemeteries in Burnham-on-sea and Highbridge. We endeavor to provide a pleasant, peaceful setting in the cemeteries, and we welcome the opportunity to answer your questions or provide information.

Please Note:  No dogs (except Guide Dogs) are permitted within the cemetery grounds

Cemetery services

Within two of our three cemeteries we are able to accommodate cremated remains interments. We have burial plots available only in our Brent Road Cemetery, unless they are pre-purchased plots in Highbridge Cemetery.

Burnham Cemetery is closed, however there may still be space for cremated remains in family plots which are used for other members of the family.

We also have an area within Brent Road cemetery set aside for a Memorial Rose Garden.

Burials may take place Monday to Thursday between 10am -2.00pm

Burials may take place on a Friday between 10am-1.30pm

Interment of ashes may take place Monday to Thursday between 9.30am and 4pm, and on a Friday between 9.30am-3pm subject to availability.

All our cemeteries are open to the public, but you must respect other visitors and the grounds as these are places of peace and tranquillity.

Cemetery maintenance

Our maintenance team is responsible for ensuring all grass, hedges and shrubs are cut and trimmed within each cemetery, to ensure they remain places of peace and tranquillity.

The grass is cut regularly, typically monthly, depending on weather conditions and interments (burials).

We also maintain all memorial trees and shrubs within our woodland sections.

Opening Times

The cemeteries are currently open all day every day

 

Contact Details

For all enquiries please contact the Town Council on: 01278 788088 and ask for the Burials Office

or email: burials@burnham-highbridge-tc.gov.uk

Office opening hours:  Monday – Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 1.00pm

Please do leave a message on the answerphone and we will get back to you.

You may need to contact the Cemeteries Office for the following situations:

-with pre-purchasing a cemetery plot

-with purchasing a cemetery plot

-to report a lost or mislaid Deed of Grant

-if you wish to surrender your cemetery plot (unused). In some instances, this may result in a refund (fees are calculated pro rata)

-to report a change of address or name change

-to make a change to the current named holders on the Deed of Grant. This is called a transfer of the Exclusive Right of Burial.

For further detailed information, application forms and fees payable please download from list below:

Forms,fees and frequently asked questions

Cemetery regulations

We are responsible for providing regulations for the management and administration of our cemeteries.

Our regulations are designed to inform and provide guidance to all who have an active interest within our cemeteries.

The regulations also establish rules and codes of conduct in line with statutory burial law.

Our cemeteries are managed in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977.

The regulations apply to all our cemeteries, including ones which are currently closed.

The management and maintenance of our cemeteries.

For the safety of all who visit and maintain the cemeteries, we do not allow any sort of memorabilia on plots. Please do not leave any kind of memorabilia/ornamentation including glass vases, solar lights, wind chimes, fencing, stones/gravel or lanterns on graves or cremated remains plots as they are unsafe and may cause accidents if broken or if fallen onto.

Memorial stability inspection

For reasons of safety, and in line with NFDC policy, memorials are routinely inspected and tested for stability. Each memorial is carefully assessed by a visual and simple hand test to check for movement.

Memorials in a dangerous, unsafe condition may be laid flat on top of the grave space. Graves may also be cordoned off or warning signs may be erected.

Memorabilia management

Any memorabilia left on graves or cremated remains plots or in nearby trees in the cemetery will be removed and stored at behind the building. After a maximum period of 2 months, the cemeteries maintenance team will dispose of memorabilia as part of routine maintenance works.

The Town Clerks decision in respect of matters of interpretation of these regulations and all matters relating to the management of the cemeteries administered by us shall be final.

For enquiries, contact us by email to burials@burnham-highbridge-tc.gov.uk or by calling 01278 788088.

Records Retention Schedule

Financial Risk Management Policy - March 2023

Grant Application Kings Coronation Form

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023, with an additional bank holiday on Monday 8th May 2023.

We are keen to hear from groups/organisations in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge that are looking to celebrate the Coronation. The Town Council has £1500 available to allocate to events being organised to celebrate the Kings Coronation. The maximum grant to be allocated per event will be £500.

You must meet the following criteria for your application to be considered:

– The event will be open to all members of the public

– The event will be free of charge

– The event will take place within the Coronation weekend

– The event will take place within Burnham on Sea or Highbridge

 

Applications will close on Monday 6th March at midday. 

Your organisation and contact details

What happens next....
Applications will be considered at the Finance and Resources Committee Meeting on Monday 13th March 2023. You will be notified after this date whether your application has been successful.
Burnham & Highbridge Town Council takes your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information for the purposes of contacting you about this grant. The Council’s privacy notice can be found here.

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