Graves

Types of grave

Several types of grave are available in different sections of the Henley Road Cemetery. These are marked on plans available at the cemeteries office. The exclusive Right of Burial is purchased through the cemeteries office.

Traditional Grave

A traditional grave is a grave with a headstone and a kerb set that forms an edging within the grave area.

Lawn grave

This is a grave with a headstone, a small area for planting flowers immediately in front of the headstone and a grassed area level with the ground. A lawn grave may have either a headstone or a footstone.

Cremated remains wedge tablet grave

This type of grave is only for cremated remains. It has a memorial in the shape of a wedge tablet. It can contain up to two sunken flower vases. No other memorial items may be left on this type of grave.

Public baby graves section

Our dedicated baby public grave section features planting and seating providing a tranquil place for reflection. We are currently making improvements that include the placing of memorial sculptures, uniform surrounds and bark chipping topping on graves where families have expressed an interest. If you would like more information please contact the crematorium office.

Transferring ownership of a grave

When you purchase a grave, you are purchasing the Exclusive Right of Burial, currently this is for a period of 50 years.

There must be a living owner of a grave to give permission for any reopening of a grave to allow further burials (if there is space) or to give permission for a memorial or additional stonework.

If the owner is deceased

Should the owner of a grave die their burial can proceed in the grave – as an owner’s interment -without having to transfer ownership, however, should a new headstone or additional inscription be required a Transfer of Ownership is needed.

A transfer can be legally effected on the production of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. If one or other of these legal documents have not been issued a Statutory Declaration made by the lawful next of kin must be completed. The Statutory Declaration needs to be sworn before a Solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths, this usually incurs a small fee, payable to their office.

There is no universal form to complete, each case is individual and based on circumstance. The fee for a Transfer of Ownership is £95 is paid to Reading Borough Council.

Please contact the Crematorium Office if you wish to discuss a Transfer of Ownership.

Transfer of ownership – living owner

Owner(s) can transfer ownership jointly or solely to another person(s) whilst they are alive. The current owner (s) need to sign a Deed of Assignment, drawn up by the Crematorium Office that allows these Rights of Burial to be transferred to a new owner(s).

The flow chart below shows the process of a transfer.