After Cremation – Cremated remains in our cemeteries
After cremation
After cremation, ashes can be taken care of of according to the family's wishes. There are many options to consider which can be explored with Funeral Directors.
In the Fareham area, facilities for scattering or interring ashes are provided at various locations, including:
- Fareham Borough Council in graves or the Garden of Remembrance in our cemeteries
- Portchester Crematorium
gardens which have been awarded a Gold Award in the 2025 "South & Southeast in Bloom", offering a peaceful and welcoming setting for families and visitors - Portchester Memorial Gardens – A Place of Peace and Tranquillity offering a tranquil haven in which to lay your loved one's ashes to rest and where it is possible to place personalised memorials. Their award-winning gardens are a peaceful sanctuary to remember and commemorate loved ones
- Parishes Churches often have dedicated areas in Churchyards where the cremated remains of your loved one can be laid to rest.
It should be noted that no formal permission is required when ashes are scattered on the foreshore or at sea.
Cremated remains in our Cemeteries
Arranging an interment of cremated remains
Cremated remains date and time can be arranged with a Funeral Director who co-ordinate arrangements with the Council or directly with the Council.
In advance of the interment date and time, payment of relevant fees is required and a notice of interment must be completed and duly signed by one of the following persons:
- The applicant for exclusive Right of burial
- The owner of Exclusive Right of Burial or the person authorising the opening of the grave for his interment.
Cremated remains must be placed in a biodegradable container or wooden casket with name plate.
On day of interment, you will be met by the Council's representative with the remains who will request the Cremation certificate before the interment takes place.
Garden of Remembrance areas for cremated remains
In most of our cemeteries, cremated remains can be interred in an area known as the Garden of Remembrance.
As not all our cemeteries provide a Garden of Remembrance, you are advised to check availability in each cemetery.
Plots in the Garden of Remembrance are set in chippings or grass areas. They are allocated at the discretion of the Council. Whenever we can, we endeavour to accommodate families wishes and take personal requirements into account. Should you wish to select a plot in a specific area, you are welcome to contact us to discuss availability.
Plots in the Garden of Remembrance can accommodate two interments of cremated remains. They must be marked with a flat commemorative tablet which must be ordered in advance of interment to be placed immediately after.
To assist you in arranging an interment in the Garden of Remembrance, we have prepared a guidance including current prices 
(88 KB), explaining how an interment of cremated remains can be arranged.
Interment of cremated remains in a grave after a burial
After one burial, a grave can be re-opened for an interment of cremated remains, on the understanding that there will be no further burial space in the grave unless they are exhumed. To prevent the loss of the burial space, cremated remains can be scattered over a grave.
Up to four cremated remains can be interred after two burials.
Exhumation or disturbance of graves
Exhumation "disturbance" of buried human remains is not common. When exhumation is required, it must be done with dignity, respect and with all of the necessary legal licences and documentation as it is unlawful to disturb any human remains (including cremated remains) without permission. There are two types of licences for exhumation:
- A Home Office Licence or
- A Bishops Faculty
Which licence is required is dependent on where the remains are at present and where they are going to be reburied.
| Moving Remians From | Moving Remains To | Authority Required |
|---|---|---|
| Consecrated ground | A different grave plot that is also consecrated | Bishops Faculty |
| Consecrated ground | Re-interring in exactly the same grave | Bishops Faculty |
| Consecrated ground | Unconsecrated ground | Bishops Faculty |
| Unconsecrated ground | Consecrated or unconsecrated ground, or re-interment in the same grave | MOJ Licence |
Cemetery regulations
As a Burial Authority, we have a duty of care to ensure they are properly managed in accordance with the with the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 (LACO).
Cemetery regulations are in place to ensure the proper control and management of our cemeteries. They are designed to provide a safe and pleasant environment for all visitors and should be always observed.
They also provide information on tributes permitted in Lawn Burial areas and in the Garden of Remembrance and where they can be placed. Please ensure that they comply with the cemetery regulations which must be applied to all.
You can view our Cemetery regulations here (896 KB).
Fees and charges
Fees for cemetery services are determined by the Council annually and take effect from 1 April each year.
Current fees and charges are published under Bereavement Services.