Choose or confirm a burial space

A burial in a new grave

There are five cemeteries in the Borough of Richmond: East Sheen and Richmond, Hampton, Old Mortlake, Teddington and Twickenham cemeteries. You may wish to visit our web page of virtual tours, which will show you pictures of some parts of our cemeteries. This page is going to be updated with more pictures as and when they become available.

You may also contact the cemetery office and a member of staff will meet with you and show you all the available options. They will be able to explain if there are certain regulations that apply to certain areas.

Sometimes, it is assumed that, as you are arranging a funeral yourself, you must have a burial in the Natural Burial Area of East Sheen cemetery; this is quite incorrect. You may have a burial space of your choice, in any of our cemeteries, depending upon availability. It is also not essential that a "green" burial is located in the Natural Burial Area. If your choice is to have no memorial, but to be able to identify the exact location of the grave in the future, you may prefer to purchase a lawn or traditional grave. This would ensure that the exact location is known, but there is still no obligation to purchase a memorial. An ecologically friendly coffin can still be used in any part of the cemeteries, and all arrangements can be made by the family.

You will need to complete an application for burial in a new grave. The cemetery office can also supply and help you to complete this form.

Burial in an existing grave

To allow a burial in an existing grave, the Registered Grave Owner must complete and sign a burial application form. However, the Registered Grave Owner has the automatic Right to be buried in the grave. In this case, the next of kin or Executor of the deceased can request the opening of the grave.

If the Grave Owner is deceased and a burial is required of another person in the grave, then a transfer of Ownership must be completed first.

A transfer of Ownership is carried out by our Legal Services Department, Regal House, London Road, TW1 3QB. email: legal.services@richmond.gov.uk

The cemetery office will be able to advise you if there is space remaining in a grave for a burial, and if a transfer is required.