Transfer of grave ownership

When do you need to transfer ownership?

In the following circumstances, a transfer of the Ownership of the Exclusive Right of Burial will be required:

• When an application is made for a burial in the grave but the Registered Owner is already dead.
• When an application is made for a memorial to be erected on the grave, but the Registered Owner is dead.
• When the existing memorial is to be changed, but the Registered Owner is dead.
• When the Registered Owner has died, and a new Owner would like to be registered.

The Registered Owner can also apply, at any time, to transfer the grave to someone else. Download the application form(pdf, 26KB), or you could contact the Cemetery Office for this form.

How to transfer the Ownership of the Exclusive Right of Burial

The procedure for establishing grave ownership where the original owner has died depends upon whether there is a Will. If the deceased grave owner has made a valid Will and left an estate of sufficient value to require the Grant of Probate to Executors, ownership of the grave can be transferred to the Executor on production of a sealed copy of the Grant of Probate.

If the estate is not of sufficient value, ownership may be transferred to the Executor named in the Will on production of a sealed copy of that Will.  It is then the Executor’s responsibility to identify the correct person who should take ownership of the grave, if it is not required by the Executor.

If there is no Will, or the Will is not valid, and the estate is of insufficient value as to require a grant of Letters of Administration, ownership of the grave can be transferred to the personal representative of the deceased. If Letters of Administration were granted, these must be produced for a transfer to take place.

Please write to the Cemetery Office. Full information regarding the personal circumstances of each case must be provided. The original grave Deed and a certified copy of the owner’s death certificate will also be required (if s/he is not buried in the grave).  

You can find useful information on how to transfer the ownership of a grave here.

The Cemetery Office will help you throughout the process of the transfer. The cemetery office will advise the current fee at the time of your enquiry. You can pay by credit/debit card or by cheque payable to L.B.R.U.T.