Herne Road Cemetery
Herne Road Cemetery is a well-established urban cemetery in a central, residential area of the town. Established in 1908 this peaceful burial ground is a very special place to lay a loved one to rest. It is also home to St Thomas’ Chapel which is open during the day for quiet contemplation and is also available to book for private services (upon request).
NOTICES
Herne Road Cemetery is located on Herne Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 2NT. The cemetery does not have a car park but there is usually plenty of free on-road parking along Herne Road.
Everything that happens in the cemetery has to comply with our Cemetery Regulations. You can read a copy here :Herne Road CEMETERY REGULATIONS
A list of fees relating to the cemetery is available to read here: CTC CEMETERY FEES 2025-26 (with effect from 1st April 2025)
Can I pre-purchase a grave space in Herne Road Cemetery?
No, it is not possible to pre-purchase any graves.
So, how do I purchase a grave space?
For coffin interments -In the first instance, please talk to your funeral director as they will be arranging all the other parts of the funeral for you. As part of the arrangement process, you will need to contact the Cemeteries Officer here at the council to purchase a grave space. Burial spaces are allocated in strict rotation.
For cremated remains interments – If you are using a funeral director, please talk to them about the arrangements you require. As part of this process, you will need to contact the Cemeteries Officer here at the council to purchase a grave space. If you are arranging an interment directly with us, the Cemeteries Officer will cover this as part of the booking.
How do I arrange an interment at Herne Road Cemetery?
For coffin interments -Please contact a funeral director who will help you manage this process and liaise with us on your behalf. We do not arrange coffin burials directly.
For cremated remains interments – Please either contact a funeral director who will help you manage this process and liaise with us on your behalf, or contact the Cemeteries Officer here at the council and we will arrange this directly with you.
What days of the week do you arrange interments?
The cemetery is available for interments Monday to Fridays. It is not possible to arrange interments for the weekend or for Bank Holidays. The usual hours for interments are 10am to 3pm.
How much do you charge for cemetery services?
A full list of fees is published annually on 1st April. The current list of fees is available to view under the ‘Fees and Regulations’ section at the top of the page.
Can I visit the Cemetery at any time?
Herne Road Cemetery is open for visitors between the hours of 8:00 am and dusk. Access is via a pedestrian gate on Herne Road. There is no dedicated car park at the cemetery but on-road parking is usually available. The council reserves the right to close the cemetery and limit access at any point.
Can I place a memorial on a grave?
The only person who can apply to place a memorial on a grave (or make alterations to an existing memorial) is the person who holds the deed of Exclusive Right of Burial for that particular grave.
How do I go about arranging a memorial, or altering an existing memorial?
All memorials, or memorial alterations, must be carried out by a NAMM or BRAMM registered stonemason. You can find a list of registered masons here:
Your chosen stonemason will apply for a memorial permit from us, and will usually help you fill out our paperwork, but the form MUST be signed by the holder of the Exclusive Right of Burial. Having been granted a permit your stonemason will then contact us and we will arrange for them to visit the cemetery to fit or alter your memorial.
Can I erect any type or memorial?
No. There are conditions relating to the size and type of memorial, and materials used. Further information may be found in the Cemetery Regulations or by contacting the Cemeteries Officer. A permit will only be issued if the conditions are met. You can read the Cemetery Regulations in the section ‘Fees and Regulations’ at the top of this page.
How much does it cost to obtain a memorial permit?
A full list of the charges relating to memorials can be viewed in the section ‘Fees and Regulations’ at the top of this page.
What exactly is an ‘Exclusive Right of Burial’?
In order for an interment to take place (in any grave) an Exclusive Right of Burial has to be purchased. When you purchase an Exclusive Right of Burial you are being granted [by the Council] the right to inter whomever you wish in that grave space for the period during which you hold the deed. You DO NOT own the land in any way.
Then there is a time limit to my deed?
Yes. Crowborough Town Council grants deeds of Exclusive Right of Burial for a period of 75 years. You can renew the deed subject to any restrictions and regulations that are in place at that time. You can apply to renew the deed at the end of the 75-year period or any time during the granted period. If you want to renew the deed during the initial 75-year period, the additional period plus the remaining period cannot not exceed 75 years in total.
Can more than one person own the Right?
Legally a number of people can jointly own the Right; however, please be aware that all owners are required to give permission before a grave can be opened. For example, this means that if four siblings jointly held a right all four would be required to sign any and all paperwork. If one of the holders refuses to sign, the grave cannot be opened for a burial, or for a memorial to be erected or altered.
What happens when the holder of the Exclusive Right of Burial dies?
Providing there is space, all holders of an Exclusive Right of Burial have the legal right to be buried in the grave. When there are a number of holders and one dies, the rights are then shared by the remaining holders. This continues until there is only one holder, at which point the Right will be transferred via their estate.
If we haven’t covered your question here, please do not hesitate to contact our bereavement team during working hours on 01892 652907 or you can email cemeteries@crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk and we will be happy to help.
BOOKING A FUNERAL or INSTALLING A MEMORIAL
To arrange either a Cremated Remains or Coffin interment, or to install a memorial, please contact the Cemeteries Officer on 01892 652907 or cemeteries@crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk
The Cemeteries Officer will discuss what forms will need to be completed and the council’s procedures, and will also discuss how to make a provisional booking.
If you would like to review the council’s cemetery documentation prior to your discussion with the officer, please find a list below for your information:
Application for CREMATED REMAINS Interment form
Application for COFFIN Interment form
Acceptance of Regulations form
Memorial Permit Application form – Old Wall of Remembrance only
Memorial Permit Application form – Main Cemetery and Garden of Remembrance Areas
Herne Road Cemetery Fees 2025-26 (with effect from 1st April 2025)
Summersales Cemetery Fees 2025-26 (with effect from mid May 2025)
PLEASE NOTE: All putlogs and webbing required for an interment must be provided by the funeral director making the booking.