Deaths
The death of a loved one is often a distressing time.
Unfortunately there are administrative requirements which must be
followed after a death and these can add to the burden for the
bereaved. We can help steer you through this difficult time.
A death must be registered in the district in which the death
occurs. However, if a death occurred in another district, a
declaration can be attested at any Register Office and forwarded on
to the relevant Register Office which will issue all the necessary
documents.
To make an appointment to register a death please contact
the relevant register office
Burial Choices
All Amber Valley Borough Council's cemeteries are maintained as
traditional lawn areas with the exception of the woodland site.
Burials take place in a grave in ordered rows with the headstones
placed in line. Within Heanor, Ripley and Leabrooks cemetery there
is the choice of having the grave with or without a concrete
plinth. This system allows for a headstone to be placed immediately
on the grave without waiting the advised 6 months for the ground to
settle.
The woodland site at Belper moves away from the more
traditional, and allows for a burial in a natural environment. The
site is within Belper Cemetery on the eastern slopes of the Derwent
Valley and is surrounded by a wood. This area will take many years
to establish, at present it is managed as grassland to encourage
the growth of wild flowers, with a small amount of tree planting
being undertaken. All graves within the woodland are marked and
recorded, memorials are not permitted within the site but there is
the facility to place a plaque on a special designated wall near
the boundary edge. Further information can be found in the 'Helping
You with woodland burials' leaflet in the Related Documents
section.
It is possible to place cremated remains in the Garden of
Remembrance sections of all our cemeteries or within existing
family graves.
Buying a Grave
Amber Valley Borough Council does not offer the facility to
pre-purchase graves prior to burial.
The purchase of a new grave is offered at the time of arranging
a burial with the Funeral Director.
At this time the Council will try and accommodate the family's
wishes in relation to the site, but generally burials take place
'next in line'.
It is possible however, to approach a Funeral Director and
arrange a pre-paid plan or bond for when the time comes.
It is always advisable to make your wishes known to your family
or solicitor.
Deeds
An 'exclusive rights' deed is issued on the purchase of a new
grave.
This deed gives the rights to the owner, for a period of 50
years to request the re-opening of a grave and the right to erect a
memorial.
More information can be obtained by 'Links to' 'Helping You'
follow cemetery guidelines and woodland burials.
Bereavement Counselling
The web links provide information and advice to the
bereaved.