Crematorium and cemetery fees
The fees charged by the crematoriums and cemeteries. These charges are set by them, not by us, and we simply pass them on to you.
These are not our charges. Crematoria and councils set their own fees, and we pass those charges on to you.
Crematorium and cemetery fees can change. We will confirm the current charge with the relevant council or crematorium when we arrange the funeral.
Sunderland Crematorium
Sunderland City Council's bereavement fees are effective from 1 November 2026.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cremation fee | £1,005 |
| Medical referee fee | £52 |
| Environmental Protection fee | £79 |
| Attended cremation, Monday to Friday | £1,136 |
The medical referee fee and Environmental Protection fee are added to Unattended and Simple Cremations.
| Cremation | Council fee | Total with both fees |
|---|---|---|
| Unattended Cremation | £370 | £501 |
| Simple Cremation | £599 | £730 |
| Attended cremation, Saturday 9am to 1pm | £1,431 | £1,562 |
Unattended Cremation: 8.00am or 8.15am
Simple Cremation: 8.30am or 8.45am
South Shields Crematorium
Most families we arrange funerals for are Sunderland residents, so the non-resident South Shields fee will usually apply.
| Charge | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| A person aged 18 or over, Monday to Friday 9.45am onwards | £1,051 | £1,115 |
| A person aged 18 or over, Monday to Friday 9am only | £857 | £921 |
| A person aged 18 or over, Monday to Friday 8.15am only, Unattended Cremation | £615 | £679 |
A child aged 17 or under, and a stillborn baby: No charge
Durham Crematorium
Durham Crematorium is run by the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee, and publishes one price per service rather than a fee plus additions.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult cremation with medical referee, Monday to Friday | £1,041 |
| Adult cremation, 9.00am or 9.30am | £836 |
| Adult cremation, Saturday morning | £1,295 |
| Attended cremation (no service) | £675 |
| Unattended Cremation | £535 |
A child, including a stillbirth, up to 18 years old: Free of charge
Sunderland cemeteries
For a new grave, there are two separate charges: the fee for the burial itself and the fee for the exclusive right to use the grave.
| Charge | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Burial (interment) of a person aged 18 or over, Monday to Friday. Does not include the exclusive right to use the grave | £1,381 | £2,513 |
| Exclusive right to use the grave (exclusive right of burial), adult grave | £1,381 | £2,513 |
A non-viable foetus, a stillborn baby, an infant or a child under 18: No charge
South Tyneside cemeteries
South Tyneside sells the exclusive right of burial for a fixed term, so the cost depends on the length of the term chosen.
| Charge | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Burial of a person aged 18 or over, Monday to Friday | £1,303 | £2,281 |
| Exclusive right of burial, full size new grave, 50 years | £1,503 | £2,631 |
A child aged 17 or under, and a stillborn baby: No charge
Burial in County Durham
Most of the burials we arrange are in Sunderland or South Tyneside. If you are considering a cemetery in County Durham, we will find out the current charges for you.
Durham County Council publishes its own cemetery fees.
