Garden burial

[watervole]

I've just been Googling to see if it's legal to be buried in your own garden, and, slightly to my surprise, it seems that it is. 

I need to look into this a bit more.  I'd certainly be happy to end up that way, and it ought to be massively cheaper than most of the alternatives.

Comments

[lexin]

But is it legal to be buried in someone else's garden?

/take tongue out of cheek.

[watervole]

It's legal if you have the landowner's permission, but I don't think that's quite what you meant - grin.

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

A lot depends on how your family feels, and how any prospective buyer might view the prospect. I suspect the devaluation of the house would outweigh any costs. As an atheist I think the views of the relatives matter much more than those of the dead.

We buried Dad's ashes in the garden last week, under the Bramley.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I think the family would all be fine. We've discussed this kind of issue before.

As far as the house value goes, I suspect it depends on how you pitch it to the buyer. (a lot of people seem attracted by ghosts, etc. so it might work out that you gain as many as you lose)

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

A Morris dancing ghost would certainly be a novelty :-)

[dmwcarol.livejournal.com]

IIRC the only restrictions are that you can't bury more than 3 people in a garden, you have to add the burial details to the property deeds and you must make sure not to pollute any water courses. It's a very tempting prospect although it would almost certainly put a huge admin burden on whoever deals with your estate.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

My mother-in-law wants her body donated to science (mainly to save on the cost of funerals). I'm one of her executors, and it started my mind contemplating other options along similar lines for myself.

I suspect the kids might not mind the admin burden if it adds £3000 (the likely cost of a normal funeral) to the estate.

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

I've left my body to science. The small print said that it should not be considered a way to avoid funeral expenses! I think they give it back once the medical students have finished (see recent BBC article).

My dad's cremation, with a funeral director, but no funeral at our request, was £1300 odd

[watervole.livejournal.com]

The articles I read say that they'll give the body back if you request it, but will dispose of it otherwise.

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

I think you would then need to go on the house deeds or other legal documents - especially in the case of a burial. just so no one accidentally digs someone else up of course!.

It's a great idea.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

It has to be recorded on the deeds for exactly the reason you give.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

I think you have to be a certain distance from any habitation, cant remember how many. So you have to take neighbours into consideration as well as your own house. If you are cremated there is no such rule for scattering ashes. I assume this is because the fire cleanses so there is no danger of contamination.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I think the only restriction is on being close to running water or a pond.

[wibble-puppy.livejournal.com]

Neighbours of ours are planning a medieval-stylee tower folly in their extensive grounds, the basement level of which will house a kind of crypt for their (two) bodies. They too were surprised that it's legal, and that the main issue seems to be pollution of water-courses. I was interested in the potential effect on the value of the property.

[wingedkami.livejournal.com]

Unless I become unexpectedly rich, I don't have enough garden to consider that, but I would like a woodland burial. It seems to be the eco-friendly option, plus I'd like to think that in 1000 years time, someone will dig me up and reconstruct my face.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Woodland burial would be my second choice, though it would depend on the cost.

[twistedanimator.livejournal.com]

both Mum and I are thinking of being buried here
http://www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk/Epping-Forest-Burial-Park.ice
dunno the price though.. would prefer it to be a bit of Epping Forest closer to home but it looks so nice!