Swale Borough Council cemetery fees – burial costs 2026/27

Last updated 16 August 2026

Swale Borough Council cemetery fees

Current burial and cemetery fees for Swale Borough Council cemeteries in Sittingbourne, Faversham, Murston, Iwade and the Isle of Sheppey.

Swale Borough Council uses bundled fees: the charge for a first burial covers the Exclusive Right of Burial (ERB), the interment itself, and any memorial or re-inscription permit together – there are no separate line items for these services.

Fees are double for non-residents. A non-resident is a person who was not resident in Swale at the time of their death and had not lived in Swale for 15 consecutive years at any point during their lifetime.

There is no charge for the burial of a child’s coffin under the age of 18, subject to the criteria of the Children’s Funeral Fund for England.

Sittingbourne, Faversham or Murston cemeteries

Burial typeFee
First burial (new grave – includes ERB, interment and permit)£2,885
First burial in a pre-purchased but unused grave£1,440
Second burial in an existing grave£1,150
Third burial in an existing grave£960
Right of burial extension (10 years)£292
Right of burial extension (20 years)£584
Right of burial extension (30 years)£876
Right of burial extension (40 years)£1,157

Non-residents pay double all of the above fees (for example: £5,770 for a first burial in a new grave).

Iwade and Isle of Sheppey cemeteries

Burial typeFee
First burial (new grave – includes ERB, interment and permit)£2,645
First burial in a pre-purchased but unused grave£1,150
Second burial in an existing grave£960

Non-residents pay double all of the above fees.

Cremated remains burial

ServiceFee
First burial of cremated remains (new grave)£780
Cremated remains in a pre-purchased unused grave£285
Second, third or fourth burial of cremated remains£285
Burial of loose ashes£145
Right of burial extension (10 years)£100
Right of burial extension (20 years)£200
Right of burial extension (30 years)£300
Right of burial extension (40 years)£400

Non-residents pay double all cremated remains fees. Saturday burials of cremated remains are available at an increased fee – contact the council for pricing and give at least eight days’ notice.

Other fees

ServiceFee
Exhumation of a coffin£2,990
Exhumation of cremated remains£400
Large coffin surcharge (30 inches or more, including handles)£104
Use of chapel at Faversham Cemetery£160
Use of chapel at Sittingbourne Cemetery£115
Transfer of grave ownership£80
Letter of confirmation where deed is lost£80
Grave search and certificate (per grave)£41

About Swale Borough Council cemeteries

Swale Borough Council operates cemeteries across the borough, including Sittingbourne Cemetery, Faversham Cemetery, Murston Cemetery, Iwade Cemetery, and cemeteries on the Isle of Sheppey. The council serves the towns of Sittingbourne, Faversham, Sheerness and surrounding areas in north Kent.

Fees verified 2026-08-11. Source: Swale Borough Council – Burial fees.

Contact: Swale Borough Council Bereavement Services – 01795 417312 | www.swale.gov.uk