Cost of graves in Reading as burial space runs out

Reading Borough Council is in charge of three sites across the area where people can be laid to rest in traditional dug-in graves.

However the authority has admitted that space is limited and from 2029 it will no longer be able to carry out this service, meaning those who pass away will have to be cremated or buried elsewhere.

A council webpage states: “Current estimates are that Reading will run out of space for new graves within seven years and unless alternatives are found, by 2029 burials will no longer be able to take place in the borough.”

READ MORE: Council on look out for land due to 'acute' shortage of burial space in Reading

It comes as the huge cost of graves and memorials in Reading has been revealed. 

While directors are often appointed to conduct funerals and cremations, burial space in the town is managed by Reading Borough Council.

The council is in charge of three cemeteries, the largest being Reading Cemetery & Crematorium in Henley Road and a smaller cemetery in Victoria Road, with both of these being in Caversham.

There is also the Old Cemetery at Cemetery Junction.

The huge cost of graves and memorials can be found on the council’s crematoriums and cemeteries website. 

People can choose from a range of different burial options, with the three main choices being between a full body burial, a cremation burial and a granite wall plaque in the ‘Hall of Memory’ at Reading Cemetery.

Six of the services provided cost over £1,000.

A traditional grave with burial rights for 50 years costs £1,590, with a lawn grave for the same period costing £1,165.

Buying a memorial bench with a plaque for 10 years costs £1,482, and a memorial tree or flower bed with a stem plaque costs £1,160.

A granite memorial in a sanctum for 25 years costs £1,195, and having a Quran grave for deceased Muslims costs £1,165.

Meanwhile, a granite wall plaque in the Hall of Memory costs £495, and the interment of ashes is priced at £156.

The nature of a burial may depend on the faith of the deceased person and their relatives.

The Catholic Church forbade cremation until 1963, and full-body burial is still favoured by many Catholics.

READ MORE: Reading Catholic School maintains rating after Ofsted inspection

Cremation was allowed for Catholics in the Second Vatican Council. Similarly, Protestant Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists and reform Jews are permitted to have cremations.

However, cremation is also banned in Islam and Orthodox and Conservative Judaism.

The burial pricing webpage repeatedly refers to exclusive burial rights between 10 to 50 years.

A council spokesperson clarified those who have purchased a grave have the rights to its use for a maximum period not exceeding 100 years.

Explaining what happens when these periods expire, the council spokesperson said: “The length of period granted depends on the type of grave purchased and whether it is for cremated remains only or for full body burial.

“Graves for cremated remains only are leased for 25 years and those for full body for 50 years.

“Cremated remains buried in a casket are treated in law the same as a full body burial.

“Once interred they cannot be disturbed without a government licence and would invariably require the agreement of the deceased’s next of kin as well as the grave owner.

“At the end of the lease period the remains buried in a grave must not be disturbed.

“However, any depth remaining in the grave can be used for further burial once the lease has expired and has not been renewed.

“In Reading’s case, we write to the grave owner every five years with the option to extend the grave lease.”

READ MORE: Reading council says families can change grave type after members of Muslim community left ‘unaware and upset’

The prospect of running out of burial space by 2029 has led the council to investigate whether more land at the Henley Road cemetery could be used for burials rather than new allotments as originally envisaged.

Last September, the council began ground surveying to determine whether the land would be appropriate to hold human remains.

The council spokesperson clarified that survey work will continue until late this year.

 The results will be subject to further guidance from the Environment Agency and will then be considered by the Council before a decision is taken on the future provision of burial space in Reading.