Gateshead cemetery fees: the non-resident surcharge has a loophole

Last updated 11 August 2026

Gateshead Council cemetery fees

Current burial and cemetery fees for Gateshead Council cemeteries. A non-resident surcharge applies where the deceased resided outside the Borough of Gateshead at the time of death. When both the deceased and the exclusive right of burial purchaser are non-residents, interment fees are doubled. Exemptions apply in specific circumstances (specialist care received outside the borough, death within 12 months of moving out, or armed forces personnel with next of kin in the borough).

Grave purchase (exclusive right of burial)

The period of exclusive rights of burial must not exceed 90 years in total. All new graves must be purchased at the time of interment, except for children up to age 18.

Full grave:

TermFee
50 years£1,007
60 years£1,208
70 years£1,410
80 years£1,609
90 years£1,813

Cremated remains section:

TermFee
50 years£589
60 years£706
70 years£823
80 years£942
90 years£1,058

Children’s section:

TermFee
50 years£589
60 years£706
70 years£823
80 years£942
90 years£1,058

Lease extensions (on expiry only, total not exceeding 90 years):

ExtensionFull graveCremated remains/children’s section
20 years£403£236
30 years£605£352
40 years£806£471

Burial and interment fees

ServiceFee
Adult (18+) – normal working hours£1,171
Adult (18+) – outside normal hours (exceptional circumstances only)£1,471
Child up to 18 years (including stillborn)No charge
Grave taken out of rotation (additional fee)£103
Cremated remains in any grave£338
Late arrival (per 15 minutes)£77
Cancellation (under 3 working days’ notice)£241

No interments take place on bank holidays.

Non-resident interment charges (where both deceased and ERB purchaser are non-resident):

ServiceFee
Full adult interment£2,342
Cremated remains interment£676

Where only one of the deceased or ERB purchaser is non-resident, the standard resident rate applies.

Memorial fees

ServiceFee
Right to erect memorial£395
Additional inscription£83
Replacement memorial£95
Vase, tablet or flower stand (not fixed)£41
Renovation (refixing, cleaning, repairing)£59
Refixing to industry standard (safety only, no material change)No charge

Kerbstones and border sets (designated sections only):

ServiceFee
Half kerbstones on lawn section (full burials only)£253
Full kerbstones or border sets£505
Horizontal plaque between kerbstones (max 750mm × 750mm)£95
Replacement full kerbstone£250
Replacement half kerbstone£127

Fees current as at April 2026. Verified 2026-08-11. Source: Gateshead Council – Fees and charges.

About Gateshead cemeteries

Gateshead Council manages cemeteries including Saltwell Cemetery and Birtley Cemetery. Purchasing the exclusive right of burial grants control over further interments and memorials on the grave, but does not grant ownership of the land.

Contact: Bereavement Services, Gateshead Civic Centre, Gateshead NE8 1HH – cemeteriesandcrematoria@gateshead.gov.uk – 0191 433 4530 – Mon–Fri 9am–4pm