Frequently Asked Questions about Burials, Cemeteries and Funerals
Cemetery offices – Where are the cemetery offices located in the Scottish Borders?
You can find details of the three cemetery offices in the Borders here.
Cemeteries – How many cemeteries are there in the Scottish Borders?
Scottish Borders Council maintains 147 Cemeteries and Churchyards, and there are also some private sites such as those run by Native Woodland.
Burial plots – How do I purchase a lair?
Normally, your funeral director will help make the necessary arrangements for buying a lair. However, if you wish to make your own arrangements, you may like to read our advice. Application to purchase a lair may be made by completing the Purchase of Lair application form and returning it to the relevant cemetery office. A lair may be purchased in advance.
Burial plots – What type of burial plots are available?
Traditional grave spaces, Baby graves, Cremated Remains graves,
Woodland Burial Graves, Non SBC Woodland Burial Graves. You can see more information on these.
Burial plots – Can I purchase more than one grave?
Yes. Normally single or double lairs may be purchased. Purchase requests for multiple lairs will be considered separately and the council reserves the right to refuse purchases if there is limited space in the cemetery or for operational reasons.
Burial plots – Do I own the ground when I buy a lair?
No, you have bought the exclusive right of burial in that lair, rather than the land itself. You have also bought the right to erect a monument.
Charges – Is there a surcharge for persons residing outside of the Scottish Borders?
No.
Burial plots – What happens if my family or myself do not use the lair we have purchased?
After 100 years, if the lair has not been used or transferred to any other family member, the council can terminate the Exclusive Right of Burial after appropriate checks and measures have been carried out.
Burial plots – Can I sell back an unused grave?
Yes. The council will buy back lairs which have not been used for burial and will refund the amount paid at the time of purchase. Please note it is an offence to sell a lair to anyone other than the Council.
Burial plots – Why should I transfer the lair when we will not be using it again?
The law requires that the owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial be entered into the Register. Upon the death of the owner, the lair must be transferred to the person making application to open the lair on the interment form. The Register is updated with the new owner’s details. Included with the Exclusive Right of Burial is the Right to erect a memorial. Responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the memorial lies with the owner of the Exclusive Right of Burial. The Council may need to contact the owner to advise of problems associated with the memorial or for other operational reasons.
Burials – How is a burial arranged?
Burials are normally arranged by a funeral director. However, it is possible to make the arrangements yourself. You may like to read our article before considering this option.
Cremations – Must I use an undertaker to inter ashes?
No, arrangements can be made by yourself by contacting the relevant office.
Burials – Must a burial be associated with a religious ceremony?
No, most cemeteries are owned by local authorities or private companies and are non-denominational.
Cremations – Can cremated remains be interred in a Cemetery?
Yes.
Burial plots – Has the Scottish Borders got special burial areas for babies?
Yes, there are special sections reserved for babies up to one year at Wairds Cemetery in Melrose and Peebles Cemetery.
Memorials – Can I erect a memorial on my lair and who is responsible for it?
The erection of memorials is permitted on purchased lairs. All memorials must be constructed and erected by a Monumental Mason
adhering to recommendations formulated by the National Association of Monumental Masons.
Lair owners, through their monumental mason, must apply to the Council with exact details of the construction of the memorial,
the method of erection and the inscription. The Lair Certificate must accompany the Application to Erect a Memorial or add an inscription. The Council will then grant permission.
The lair owner is liable for any damage or injury caused by the state of repair of the memorial erected.
Memorials – Who is responsible for the correction/repair of fallen memorials?
The registered owner of the lair is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the memorial. The Council will contact owners to inform them that their memorial has fallen and provide advice on how to repair and re-erect.
Memorials – How many memorials or vases are allowed?
One memorial, fixed onto a foundation, and two vases, not fixed, are allowed on each lair.
Memorials – Are there any restrictions on memorial inscriptions?
No.
Memorials – Can bushes/flowers/shrubs be planted on a grave?
Planting at a lair must be approved by your local cemeteries office.
Memorials – Can I plant a tree or donate a seat?
Yes, trees and seats may be placed in cemeteries at mutually agreed locations. Please contact the cemetery office for details.
Vehicles – Is there vehicular access to most cemeteries?
Where appropriate, yes. Please check details with each individual cemetery to check details and opening hours.
Cemetery Maintenance – Who maintains the cemeteries?
The council has a legal responsibility to maintain cemeteries and churchyards.
Cemetery Maintenance – Where do I go to complain about the cemetery maintenance?
Please contact your local cemeteries office.
Burial plots – Why has my grave sunk?
After an interment has taken place a certain amount of consolidation of the disturbed ground will occur. The gravediggers will routinely top up the level of soil to maintain a level appearance. During periods of heavy rain the amount of consolidation can be greater than normal. Gravediggers may need to repeat this re-levelling work several times until consolidation has stopped.
Memorials – After the interment how long do floral tributes lie?
Normally floral tributes remain on the lair for up to 6 weeks. During periods of severe weather, floral tributes may be removed before 6 weeks, if they have become unsightly.
Cemetery – Can I obtain a plan of a cemetery?
Yes. However, due to the large size of some plans it will not be possible to provide a full sized copy. It will be possible in most instances to provide a copy of the relevant section where a particular lair is located.
Cemetery – How do I find a lair?
Please contact the relevant cemetery office for assistance. If required, an appointment may be arranged at the cemetery when you will be met and taken to the lair in question.
Records – How do I trace my ancestors/family history?
Please forward as much information as possible to the relevant local cemetery office.
Funerals – I wish to specify arrangements for my own funeral. How can I go about it?
You may have personal preferences for your own funeral. Funeral wishes, whether in a will or not, are not legally binding after death. However, you can be very specific as to what you want, and give the instructions to someone you feel confident will honour your request. We have a sample document which you could use, or feel free to adapt it to your needs. We suggest you store it with your will, or somewhere it would be found on the occasion of your death.
Funerals – I have recently attended/arranged a funeral through SBC, and would like to give feedback. How can I do this?
We do have a feedback form which you can print off and send to us at one of our cemetery offices.
Useful links
Burial; information on finding a funeral director, coffin, mason, or home burials and graves.
Arranging a burial without a funeral director.
Fees and charges for burial services.
Useful information such as support organisations and governing bodies.
When someone dies; guidance on what needs to be done.
Unified Solutions.