Arranging a BurialSouthwark's Bereavement Service manages the three cemeteries within Southwark and we're happy to offer help and assistance on all aspects of this service to anyone wishing to arrange a burial.
On this page we've provided information about making arrangements and what happens at the funeral service. Please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page if you have any questions.
Arranging a funeral and burial - your options
Funeral directors
Usually the 'Executor of the Will' or closest surviving relative will employ a professional funeral director to make the funeral arrangements. These include completing the necessary forms, moving the body and helping with registering the death.
Your Funeral Director will usually include all costs in their final bill but you should check this at the start. For more information about funeral directors and to find one in your area, click here to  visit the National Association of Funeral Directors website.
Independent funerals
You may prefer to organise the funeral and burial yourself rather than employ a funeral director. This is referred to as an 'independent funeral'. Making your own arrangements may enable you to say goodbye to your loved one in a more personal way, but will involve more organising. We can offer help and advice if you choose to go ahead with an independent funeral, please contact us using the details below.
Municipal Funerals
Occasionally someone may die with no relatives or friends who are able to take on the responsibility of funeral arrangements. In these cases, Southwark's Social Services department will look after the arrangements and later try to recover the costs from the estate of the person who died. This is called a 'municipal funeral'. Southwark's Bereavement Service will select a grave for the person (sometimes known as a 'public' or 'common' grave) and are responsible for maintaining it. Unfortunately it's not possible to place any larger memorial than a small vase on these types of grave. Click here for further information about Social Services in Southwark.
Funeral expenses and related costs
Burials are generally a more expensive option than cremations as they incur charges for grave purchase, headstones or memorials etc. Funerals can be both expensive and unexpected but help is available for those who may have difficulty paying, click the link to find information about funeral expenses and other charges.
Cemeteries within Southwark
There are three cemeteries in Southwark. Most burials take place at Camberwell New Cemetery although it's still possible to arrange burials in Camberwell Old Cemetery and Nunhead Cemetery. Most of our cemeteries have areas that have been consecrated by the Church of England as well as non-consecrated areas for people of other religions or beliefs. Burials can take place on any weekday except bank holidays or special arrangements can be made to have it on another day. You are welcome to view the section of the cemetery where the burial will take place. If you'd like to do this, let us know and we will arrange to meet you at the site. Click here for further information about our cemeteries.
Purchasing a grave
When you buy a grave in one of Southwark's cemeteries, you buy the 'exclusive right of burial' for that particular grave and this lasts for a period of 50 years. Southwark residents and people living outside the borough can buy a grave within our cemeteries, although the fee is greater for those who are not or were not residents of the borough. Further information about this can be found on the funeral expenses and related charges page.
Usually arrangements for purchasing a grave are made by funeral director and any costs involved may be included in their final bill. However you may want to make the arrangements for this part of the funeral yourself in which case we will be happy to help.
Different styles of burial 
There are three different styles of burial available to cater for different people and different beliefs:
- Traditional burial - this allows you to put a full headstone and a surround at the grave
- Lawn burial - this allows you to erect a headstone but the grave is levelled, grassed over and treated as lawn, so no ornaments can be placed or plants grown on the grave
- Woodland burial - this takes place in an open leafy area at the top of Camberwell Old Cemetery and only trees and flowers can be planted as memorials
All burials in Camberwell Old Cemetery are slightly more expensive. But there is no difference in cost for any style of burial and no charge for maintaining these graves afterwards.
Contact us
Bereavement Services office
Tel: 020 7639 3121
Fax: 020 7732 3557
Camberwell New Cemetery
Brenchley Garden
London SE23 3RD
|