Planning a funeral can be an emotionally difficult time, and understanding burial costs is often one of the most confusing practical steps. Burial and cemetery fees are set by local councils, meaning charges can vary widely depending on where the burial takes place. 

Each council acts as the burial authority for its area and sets its own fees for grave purchase (the Exclusive Right of Burial), interment, burial of cremated remains, and additional services such as weekend burials or memorial permits. 

How Burial Fees Work 

Burial costs are usually made up of: 

• The Exclusive Right of Burial – the right to use a grave for a set period (often 50–100 years) 

• The interment fee – the cost of the burial taking place 

Additional charges may apply for: 

• Re-opening an existing family grave 

• Burial of cremated remains 

• Weekend or bank holiday burials 

• Oversized coffins or vaults 

• Memorial permits, foundations and inspections 

Most councils charge higher fees for non-residents, so it’s important to check whether resident rates apply. 

Yorkshire and the Humber: Councils, Cemeteries & Official Burial Fee Links 

North Yorkshire 

• North Yorkshire Council https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages/death/crematoria-and-cemeteries  

• Cemeteries in the Craven area https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages/death/crematoria-and-cemeteries/cemeteries-craven-area/craven-area-bereavement-service-fees 

• Cemeteries in the Harrogate area https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages/death/crematoria-and-cemeteries/cemeteries-harrogate-area/harrogate-area-bereavement-service-fees 

• Cemeteries in the Richmondshire area https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages/death/crematoria-and-cemeteries/cemeteries-richmondshire-area/richmondshire-area-bereavement-service-fees 

• Cemeteries in the Scarborough area https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages/death/crematoria-and-cemeteries/cemeteries-scarborough-area  

• City of York Council 

• Fulford cemetery https://www.fulford-pc.gov.uk/parish-council-services/cemetery/ 

• York Cemetery https://www.yorkcemetery.org.uk/cemetery-fees 

• York crematorium https://www.york.gov.uk/york-crematorium-3/crematorium-fees-charges  

West Yorkshire 

• Leeds City Council 
  https://www.leeds.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-marriages/death/bereavement-services/bereavement-services-fees-and-charges  

• Bradford Council https://www.bradford.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/deaths/bereavement-service-price-information/  

• Kirklees Council 
  https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/deaths-funerals-and-memorials/bereavement-services-fees-charges.aspx  

• Wakefield Council 
  https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/what-to-do-after-a-death/buying-a-grave  

South Yorkshire 

• Sheffield City Council 
  https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages/cremation-crematoria  

• Doncaster Council 
  https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/births-marriages-deaths-nationality/cemetery-and-crematorium-price-list  

• Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council 
  https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/deaths/cemeteries-bereavement-services/2  

• Barnsley Council 
  https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/deaths-and-funerals/burials-cremations-and-memorials-pricelist/  

East Yorkshire & the Humber 

• East Riding of Yorkshire Council https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/living/deaths/cemeteries/#arrange  

• Hull City Council 
  https://hullbereavementservices.hull.gov.uk/cemeteries-crematorium?categoryId=4  

• North Lincolnshire Council 
  https://www.northlincs.gov.uk/community-advice-and-support/published-fees-for-bereavement-services/  

• North East Lincolnshire Council 

•  https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/bereavement-services/cemeteries/  

What to Check When Comparing Burial Fees 

When reviewing council burial charges, always look for: 

• Resident vs non-resident pricing 

• Length of the Exclusive Right of Burial 

• Fees for reopening existing family graves 

• Ashes burial versus full burial costs 

• Weekend and urgent burial surcharges 

• Memorial and headstone permissions 

If burial fees are not clearly published online, councils will usually provide a full price list by phone or email.