Burial is typically the more expensive option, however either personal and / or religious circumstances do not allow for cremation.
i/ A below ground burial can take place after a church, chapel or other venue service or only be a grave side. The cortege will proceed to the burial site and with the assistance of cemetery staff the funeral directors will lower the coffin into the ground.
There are no health regulations stipulated for the purpose of below ground burials.
Most graves are opened to a depth for two adult interments. A third may be accommodated but this is by arrangement with the cemetery and pending their approval.
As a general rule a third interment is not allowed.
ii/ Above ground burial
An above ground burial is a little more complicated.
This may take place in a family vault, crypt, or inground vault.
The body has to be fully embalmed by a qualifies embalmer who will issue the embalming certificate and a report on chemicals used and proportions of these.
The body has to rest within a zinc liner which is inserted into the coffin and hermetically sealed. Each zinc liner has its own certificate and authenticity number which needs to be provided to cemetery alongside all other documentation. The funeral director needs to provide a sealing certificate confirming the zinc liner has been sealed to specification.