Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole cemetery fees
BCP Bereavement Care – the burial and cremation service operated by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council – manages cemeteries and crematoriums across the three towns. The council operates Bournemouth Crematorium with its North Cemetery, Poole Crematorium (at The Halo Ceremony Hall), and multiple cemeteries across the BCP area including woodland burial sites in Bournemouth.
This is the council’s current published fee schedule, last updated 2 October 2023 – no newer schedule has since been issued. Non-resident fees are double the resident rates in every category. Non-residency is determined by the primary residential address of the deceased in the five years leading to their death – if they did not live within the Bournemouth, Christchurch, or Poole areas, double fees apply.
Since the 2019 merger of the three former borough councils, BCP has been working to harmonise fees across the three areas, and notes that prices may be subject to change – contact the office to confirm current pricing before booking.
Grave purchase (exclusive right of burial)
All ERBs are for a 50-year lease. Non-resident prices are double the resident prices.
| Grave type | Resident fee | Non-resident fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn grave – next available | £888 | £1,776 |
| Lawn grave – selected | £1,045 | £2,090 |
| Woodland grave (Bournemouth only) | £680 | £1,360 |
| Adult Class I / Premium (Bournemouth only) | £1,690 | £3,380 |
| Cremated remains grave (4ft) | £732 | £1,464 |
| Adult reclaimed grave (Bournemouth and Poole only) | £800 | £1,600 |
| EROB extension – 10 years (maximum 50-year total) | £146 | £292 |
| Grave reserve fee (deducted from purchase price) | £120 | £120 |
Pre-purchase of graves is not permitted under the current rules. The Deed of Grant is issued to the purchaser as proof of legal grave ownership.
Burial and interment fees
| Service | Resident fee | Non-resident fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult traditional burial (18 years and over) | £775 | £1,550 |
| Adult woodland burial (Bournemouth only) | £690 | £1,380 |
| Cremated remains burial | £241 | £482 |
| Body part burial | £137 | £274 |
| Saturday service surcharge – coffin burial | +£500 | +£1,000 |
| Saturday service surcharge – cremated remains | +£300 | +£600 |
| Cemetery chapel use – 30 minutes | £100 | £200 |
| Cemetery chapel use – 60 minutes | £150 | £300 |
Children under 18 and stillborn babies: the council refers these to the Children’s Funeral Fund for England, with no charge to the family.
Cremated remains services
Pricing differs depending on whether the ashes were cremated by BCP (at Bournemouth or Poole Crematorium) or received from another crematorium.
Ashes cremated by BCP:
| Service | Resident fee | Non-resident fee |
|---|---|---|
| Non-witness scatter in Woodland Glades (Bournemouth or Poole) | No charge | No charge |
| Non-witness interment in cremated remains grave or lawn grave (Bournemouth) | £241 | £482 |
| Witness scatter – one set of ashes | £57 | £114 |
| Witness scatter – two sets of ashes (together) | £89 | £178 |
| Witness placement in New Lawn, double-depth plot for two sets (Poole) | £159 | £318 |
| Non-witness placement in New Lawn, double-depth plot for two sets (Poole) | £114 | £228 |
Ashes received from another crematorium (not cremated by BCP):
| Service | Resident fee | Non-resident fee |
|---|---|---|
| Non-witness scatter in Woodland Glades (Bournemouth or Poole) | £57 | £114 |
| Witness scatter – one set of ashes | £113 | £226 |
| Witness scatter – two sets of ashes (together) | £169 | £338 |
| Witness placement in New Lawn (Poole) | £250 | £500 |
Memorial permit fees
Non-resident permit fees are doubled. Fees vary by grave type and memorial dimensions.
| Memorial type | Resident fee | Non-resident fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn grave headstone (up to 4ft / 1200mm high) | £164 | £328 |
| Cremated remains grave headstone | £112 | £224 |
| Traditional grave memorial (up to 3ft high) | £164 | £328 |
Non-resident fees
Non-resident status applies where the deceased did not have their primary residence within Bournemouth, Christchurch, or Poole during the five years prior to their death. All fees are doubled for non-resident deceased – this applies to ERB purchase, interment, cremated remains, and memorial permits.
About BCP Bereavement Care
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council was formed in 2019 from the merger of the three former borough councils, creating a large unitary authority serving a coastal population of approximately 400,000. BCP Bereavement Care operates the combined bereavement services across the area.
Cemeteries include sites in Bournemouth (North Cemetery, Strouden Park Cemetery, and woodland burial areas) and Poole. Christchurch Cemetery is also managed by the service. Families should contact the office directly to confirm current pricing, particularly for Christchurch sites where fee harmonisation may affect rates.
Contact: BCP Bereavement Care – bereavementcare@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01202 128111 (Monday to Friday 11:00–15:00).
Fees verified 2026-08-11 against the council’s current published schedule (last updated by the council 2 October 2023, no newer version issued). Source: BCP Bereavement Care – funeral fees and prices. Contact the council to confirm before booking, particularly for Christchurch sites.