Cemeteries, crematoriums and memorials

Alnwick
Managed by Alnwick Town Council
Room 5
27 Fenkle Street
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 1HW
Contact Bill Batey: 01665 602574 or email clerk@alnwick-tc.gov.uk
 
Amble West
Managed by Amble Town Council
Fourways 2
6 Dilston Terrace
Amble
Northumberland
NE65 0DT
Contact Ms Vicki Smith: 01665 714695 or email townclerk@amble.gov.uk 
 
Chevington
Managed by NCC
Contact area admin team: 01670 624418 or 624419
Administration office: Coopies Lane Depot

Embleton
Spitalford Cemetery
Managed by Embleton Joint Burial Committee
Contact by phone: 07512 798934 
Contact by email: ejbc@crastercommunity.org.uk
 
Pegswood
Managed by NCC
Contact area admin team: 01670 624418 or 624419
Administration office: Coopies Lane Depot, NE61 6SH
 
Tweedmouth
Managed by NCC
Contact area admin team: 01670 620490
Administration office: Tweedmouth Depot
 
Morpeth Fairmoor
Managed by NCC
Contact area admin team: 01670 624418 or 624419
Administration office: Coopies Lane Depot, NE61 3JL
 
North Road, Berwick
Managed by NCC
Contact area admin team: 01670 620490
Administration office: Tweedmouth Depot

Bedlington
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Blyth Cowpen
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Blyth Links
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Choppington, St Pauls
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Cramlington Mayfield
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Cramlington, St Nicholas Church
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Cresswell
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Coopies Lane Depot, NE61 6SH
 
Horton
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Lynemouth
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
North Seaton
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Seaton Deleval Church of our Lady
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Seghill
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery
 
Sleekburn, St Peters
Managed by NCC
Contact Stephen Kelly: 01670 620405
Administration office: Cowpen Cemetery

Edgewell
Managed by: Prudhoe Town Council
Contact Richard Whinney: 01661 835487
 
Ovingham
Managed by: Ovingham Joint Burial Committee
Contact: Parish Clerk: Mrs Diana M Carney, Clerk to Wylam Parish Council, Wylam Institute, Church Road, Wylam, NE41 8AP  Tel: 01661 852498

St Andrew’s, Hexham
Managed by Hexham Town Council
Contact the Town Clerk: 01434 609575 or email clerk@hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
 

Managed by Ponteland Town Council
Contact: Mrs Kath Mavin
Day phone: (01661) 825092
 
For Muslim Burial Requests
Contact: NCC Administration Office, Hexham
(01670) 625586, 624433 or 625585
 

• Please view our cemetery regulations here.

Cowpen Road
Blyth
NE24 5SZ

• Tel: 01670 620405
• Email: blyth.crematorium@northumberland.gov.uk

• toilets
• disabled access
• wheelchair facilities
• book of remembrance room
• garden of remembrance
• burial chapel
• crematorium chapel
• office opening hours:
  • Monday to Thursday, 8am to noon and 1pm to 4.30pm
  • Friday, 8am to noon and 1pm to 4pm

We kindly ask tokens of remembrance are not placed in the gardens as they quickly deteriorate and soon become unsightly. For those who wish to bring flowers for special occasions or anniversaries, we respectfully suggest they are placed in the book of remembrance room.

Services may take place, Monday to Friday between 9.15am and 3.15pm, at 45-minute intervals. Services should be booked with the crematorium at least three working days in advance.

A full service will last approximately 20 minutes. If you would like a longer service or expect a large attendance number, it is possible to arrange additional time for a small charge. 

You can choose to have the full service in the crematorium chapel or part of the service can be held in your own church, with a short committal ceremony held at the crematorium.

Alternatively, the full service can be held in your own church with the coffin brought for cremation with no further ceremony. The coffin will still be brought into the chapel and placed on the catafalque (raised platform) before entering the crematory.

When choosing a ceremony option, consult with the officiating minister to ensure the appointment is suitable to all parties. 

It is not necessary to use a hearse to bring the coffin to the crematorium. When arranging personalised funerals, you may choose to use estate cars or hire a van. You could also use a biodegradable (cardboard) coffin, instead of the usual veneered coffin. 

• Cremation costs and fees are available here.

You will need to inform the hospital or medical practitioner, who last attended the deceased, of the cremation taking place. The crematorium or funeral director will require:

• two cremation certificates, statutory form four and statutory form five
• form four is signed by the doctor who last attended the deceased, setting out the cause of death and any other circumstances surrounding it
• form five is completed by another doctor not involved in the treatment of the deceased
• application for cremation form, form one, signed by the next of kin
• notice of cremation form - if you are using a funeral director, they will have this or the crematorium office can provide it
• registration certificates, part B and C
• the coroner’s order for cremation or registration certificates part B and C for cremation or burial

All statutory forms must be delivered to the crematorium no later than 11am the day before the funeral service, as they need to be signed off by an independent medical referee.
 

The crematorium will need written instructions for the service and disposal of the cremated remains. The office will issue a cremated remains release certificate before they are able to release the remains. There are many options to choose from regarding the ashes.

Urn
After cremation, we can place the ashes in an urn that has been provided by you, or we can provide one for you.

• Please see funeral costs and fees here.

Scattering of the ashes
The ashes can be scattered in the garden of remembrance at the crematorium. If you would like to scatter the ashes elsewhere, you must seek the permission of the landowner. To scatter the ashes at sea, you must obtain permission from the harbour master.
 
Burial of the remains
Ashes can be buried in a cremated remains plot at the crematorium, with a bronze memorial plaque. Each plot can hold up to four cremated remains. Ashes can also be buried in a family grave plot.

There are various types of memorial and remembrance schemes available through Northumberland County Council.

• For more information, please go to our memorials page.

The book has been individually designed and produced by artist-craftsmen and is kept at the crematorium in the book of remembrance room. This is a reflective, quiet space for people to use whenever they want to. It is open 365 days a year.

The book will be opened on the anniversary of the date of death. A page is allotted to each day of the year.
Relatives and friends may have a memorial entry recorded in the book on the date of death.

Regimental, civic and other suitable decorations can be added at an extra cost to entries of no less than five lines. The inscriptions are in black, red and gold and can be seen at the crematorium.

Heraldry and floral motifs are rendered in full colour in the book.

Book of remembrance room opening times:

• April to September - opens at 8am and closes at 8pm
• October to March - opens at 8am and closes at 6:30pm

Please note: the door in the book of remembrance room will automatically be locked at closing time each day, however any person still in the room will still be able to leave.

The garden of remembrance has been constructed as a memorial to all who have been cremated at Blyth crematorium. The many trees, shrubs and flowers are for the benefit of those who find the garden sacred.

Relatives of the deceased are asked to refrain from placing tokens of remembrance of any kind in the gardens, as they quickly deteriorate.

If you would like to bring flowers for special occasions or anniversaries, we respectfully suggest that these are placed in the book of remembrance room. 

• For a copy of the Wesley Media Fees Booklet 2019-19 please click here

• For a list of memorial costs and fees click here.

Memorial headstones
Any memorial on a grave must be installed by a monumental mason who is registered with the Northumberland County Council registration scheme. The monumental mason will ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted to the relevant bereavement services office.

You do not have to use the memorial mason recommended by your funeral director and you may wish to compare quotes from different companies. A list of approved masons is available from the county council by calling 0345 600 6400.

Fixed vases
Subject to approval, vases are permitted in all council cemeteries. These must be installed by a monumental mason who is registered with the Northumberland County Council registration scheme. The monumental mason will ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted to the relevant  bereavement services office.

If you wish to place a memorial of any description on a grave, it has to be approved by the council and the appropriate fee paid. Otherwise, we have the right to remove it without informing you.

Designated lawn section of the cemetery:

• height restriction of three feet six inches (1050mm)
• width restriction of three feet (900mm)

Cremated remains lawn section:

• height restriction of two feet six inches (750mm)
• width restriction of two feet (600mm)

No kerbs or railing surrounds are allowed in the lawn sections as these may cause damage to maintenance equipment or potential injury to operatives or other visitors to the cemetery. Also, maintenance to these sections cannot be completed to a high standard.

In some cemeteries, we have installed a concrete plinth to accommodate memorials. However, if there is no plinth you will still be allowed to have the memorial installed as soon as possible.

It is the memorial owner’s responsibility to maintain memorials in a safe condition throughout the period of the exclusive right of burial.

Bereavement service staff will be carrying out routine inspections of all memorials. 

Northumberland County Council is following guidelines from the Ministry of Justice to inspect memorials at least once every five years.

Over the past five years, there have been accidents involving members of the public in cemeteries across the country and several have been fatal. This is why councils inspect memorials at least once every five years.

The exclusive right of burial (deed holder) will receive a letter and it will be their responsibility to arrange suitable repairs. Any repairs should only be carried out by an approved Northumberland County Council monumental mason.

It is the responsibility of the deed holder to the grave. 

There have been notices posted within the cemetery grounds about the safety inspection process. We encourage all memorial owners or visitors to the graves to update current contact details so we can keep them informed of future memorial inspections. You can contact neighbourhood services on 0345 6006400 to update your details.

Our staff will carry out the safety testing survey. First, a visual inspection will identify the type of memorial and its condition. Second, using slight hand pressure, the stability of the memorial is measured to ensure it isn’t a danger to the public. We employ a risk assessment scale to record this data:

Risk High, Medium and Low

Risk High: Will be marked with either tape or small warning notice. Memorial Fail Letter, List of approved memorial masons, will be posted out to last known address of the deed owner (Attempt to contact Deed Owners / Family to fund repair, Need to be made safe within 4 weeks).

Risk Medium: Will be marked with either tape or small warning notice. Memorial Fail Letter, List of approved memorial masons, will be posted out to last known address of the deed owner  (Attempt to contact Deed Owners / Family to fund repair, reinspect yearly to ensure signs and tape still in place, photograph and log checks.)

Risk Low: Passed, Reinspect within 5 years Each memorial within every cemetery and churchyard under the service's jurisdiction shall be inspected in accordance with the above classifications. The inspection scheme shall be reviewed on an annual basis.

If a memorial fails the inspection we will write to the deed owner at the last known address we have informing them of the safety inspection results and offering advice for them.

We understand this news may be upsetting and we apologise for any distress caused. If your memorial requires work to make it safe, you can employ a Northumberland County Council-registered monumental mason to reinstate the memorial’s foundation or carry out repair work.

Do not attempt to repair or remove the memorial yourself. Only approved Northumberland County Council monumental masons should carry out this kind of work. The monumental mason will ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted to the relevant  bereavement services office.

We are continuing to implement a safety inspection programme of memorials within the eight council-managed cemeteries and numerous churchyards countywide. We will do all we can to ease the upset that may be caused by this safety action.

Ensure your contact details are up-to-date by calling neighbourhood services on 0345 600 6400. Please also use this number if you are concerned about the safety of your memorial. For peace of mind, we recommend buying insurance cover. Please consult a registered monumental mason for company recommendations.

Be aware cemeteries are potentially dangerous places. Visitors should keep to footpaths, avoid touching memorials and ensure children are supervised at all times. 

Within Northumberland, we have a substantial amount of war memorials in local authority cemeteries and churchyards. These graves are owned by the War Graves Commission.

If you require any information regarding the war memorials, please contact:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Head Office
2 Marlow Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 7DX
Tel: +44 (0) 1628 634221
Fax: +44 (0) 1628 771208
 
Casualty enquiries

Tel: +44 (0) 1628 507200
United Kingdom Area
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Jenton Road
Sydenham
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire CV31 1XS
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1926 330137
Fax: +44 (0) 1926 456595

Memorial plaques
Bronze memorial plaques can only be applied for and installed through Northumberland County Council. It can be fixed for 10 years to the edging along the paths in the garden of remembrance. The bronze memorial plaque is nine inches in length and three inches in depth and the inscription is cast.

Most families only wish for one name on the inscription, but it is possible to have two, as long as the inscription isn’t more than 75 letters, including spaces, on the five lines.
 
Memorial plaques in designated cemeteries
Where appropriate, brass memorial plaques are available to lease for a period of 10 years. They measure at six inches by four inches and can have an inscription of your choice and can only be applied for and installed through Northumberland County Council.
 
Memorial benches
Once approved, memorial benches with a bronze plaque can be purchased and placed in a suitable location in Northumberland if space is available. Provision of a memorial bench must be done solely through the council as this is a standardised agreed build. All memorial benches and plaques come with a 10-year lease, which is renewable. 

The book is kept at the crematorium in the book of remembrance room, open 365 days a year.

• Please see here for more information.

Application forms to have a loved one’s name included in this book are available from the crematorium office or in the book of remembrance room. 

Book of remembrance room opening times:

• April to September - opens at 8am and closes at 8pm
• October to March - opens at 8am and closes at 4:30pm

Please note: the door in the book of remembrance room will automatically be locked at closing time each day, however any person still in the room will still be able to leave.

 

Memorial cards and miniature books of remembrance are intended as a personal remembrance. Once applied for, they will be sent to the applicant direct from the manufacturers.

They provide family records and could be sent to distant relatives and friends. The books/cards are of very high quality and will have the same craftsmanship and inscription as seen in the large books at Blyth crematorium.

Examples can be seen at Blyth crematorium. Application forms are available from the crematorium office or in the book of remembrance room. 

The garden of remembrance has been constructed as a memorial to all who have been cremated at Blyth crematorium.

• Please see here for more information.

If required, your loved one's cremated remains can be scattered in this area.