Burial plot - extending exclusive rights?

anotherday1974

My brother's burial plot expired last year and the council have the option of extending the exclusive rights for another 25, 50 or 99 years. I only found this out when I emailed the cemetery about something else. 

I can understand the necessity of extending the exclusive rights if it includes an unused burial site, but what if there are no unused plots?  

We are confused what this actually means. The plot cannot be used for another burial. I believe the headstone becomes the property of council if we don't extend. In reality, would the council just come along and remove the headstone or anything? 

It will cost £500 to extend for another 25 years, so it isn't cheap. I'm only 49, so I suspect I should extend it by 50 years, but I need to know the benefits of doing so.

I really hope they would leave his plot undisturbed. Hopefully they wouldn't used his plot for another burial?

SevenOfNine

Where I live we own the rights for only 30 years.

It used to be 99yrs many years ago, but over the years our council have reduced that 2 or 3 times with subsequent purchases, right down to the current 30 years, makes them more money as family are more likely to 'extend'!

Extensions can only be done at the end of each run, but here it's only for a further 10 years at a time, & can be done on each subsequent 'expiry', a nice little earner for our grubby council. The current cost along the lines of £250 or so.

I believe some councils retain the right to re-use the plots (goodness only knows how), if the exclusive rights lapse. When I first heard about that I investigated locally & found that ours can, but don't, & no plans whatsoever to start. I can't believe it's common to do that, but maybe more so with cremation plots?

As far as I know you'd still retain ownership of the headstone, & they'd expect you to sort it out if it became unsafe, but it would be best if you clarify the negatives of not extending directly with your council.

I presume it's not a multiple plot your brother has (eg burial for 2 or multiple cremation)? Without the rights a second burial or subsequent multiple ashes can't be added.

We own the rights to 6 plots in our local, very old, council cemetery. 3 are 99 year, 1 has 25 years to run & won't be extended. 2 have 23 years to run, & both will be extended as necessary (1 is ours & we're not in it yet).

Only you can decide on the emotional aspect of feeling your brother is 'safe', & your financial circumstances. Do talk this over with the council, there will be a cemetery manager to advise you.