I did some research for a friend in Australia. NOTE ALL CHARGES ARE DOUBLED FOR NON RESIDENTS You can buy the rights to a grave for 50 years These are Gateshead Councils fees Purchase of exclusive rights to grave (50 year lease) £184.00 The above fees will be doubled for non-residents of Gateshead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Memorial not exceeding 4’ in height or 3’4”wide £55.40 Memorials exceeding 4’ but not 6’ in height and up to 3’6” wide £107.10 Additional inscriptions/replacement memorial combined fee £13.90 Horizontal plaque placed between kerbstones not exceeding 30”x 30” £38.90 Horizontal memorial on lawn section only not exceeding 2’ deep by 2’6” wide £38.40 Kerbstones or border stones enclosing a space of 3’6” wide not exceeding 8’ long £103.50 Half kerbs on lawn section £74.70 Placing of a vase, tablet or flower stand (unfixed) £12.80 Annual planting of grave space lawn sections £18.40 Annual planting of grave space general sections £45.30 Registering transfer of grave ownership £14.90 All fees double for non-residents of Gateshead, unless the exclusive rights have been purchased in a Gateshead address. Margaret Hall Wallsend www.margaret-hall-genealogy.com -----Original Message----- From: dur-nbl-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:dur-nbl-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of topoisomer@yahoo.com Sent: 31 July 2010 18:03 To: DUR-NBL@rootsweb.com Subject: [DUR-NBL] Purchasing a grave "out of common" Hi all, Has anyone ever done this in England? "Common Graves (Unpurchased): The City retains control of the burials in these graves. Burial Law used to require a 14 year interval between successive burials in these graves (unless the deceased were from the same family). This law has since been repealed, but the above practice has been continued. It is unlikely that there will be any form of memorial on these graves. It is possible to purchase a grave 'out of common' and hence be allowed to erect a headstone" Any experiences to share? Cheers as always Jack