Watford cemetery fees – non-residents pay nearly 5x for grave purchase

Last updated 3 August 2026

Watford cemetery fees – non-residents pay nearly 5x for grave purchase

Current burial and cemetery fees for Watford Borough Council, covering North Watford Cemetery and Vicarage Road Cemetery, effective 1 April 2026.

Watford cemeteries use a 50-year ERB lease as standard. The non-resident premium varies sharply by fee type: grave purchase (exclusive right of burial) costs 4.9 times more for non-residents (£9,000 versus £1,843 for an earthen grave), while the interment fee is closer to three times more (£2,872 versus £962). Fees are based on the deceased’s address at the time of death.

Exclusive right of burial – grave purchase (50-year term)

Grave typeResidentNon-resident
Earthen grave (all sections including Muslim)£1,843£9,000
Walled grave or vault£3,418£11,084
Garden of Rest – cremated remains (4ft × 2ft)£888£2,677
Garden of Remembrance – cremated remains£790£2,359

Interment fees

ServiceResidentNon-resident
Adult burial in private grave (all sections)£962£2,872
Casket burial (extra digging required)£1,247£3,746
Cremated remains – interment or scattering£323£970

Children’s graves and interments are free of charge.

Combined first-burial cost

TypeResident totalNon-resident total
Earthen grave (ERB) + adult interment£2,805£11,872

About Watford Borough Council cemeteries

Watford Borough Council operates North Watford Cemetery and Vicarage Road Cemetery. North Watford Cemetery includes a Garden of Rest and Garden of Remembrance for cremated remains, as well as Muslim burial sections. Both cemeteries are managed by the council’s bereavement services team.

Fees verified 2026-08-03. Source: Watford Borough Council – Cemetery Fees 2026-2027 (PDF).