Arranging a burial
To arrange a full interment or the burial of cremated remains in the cemetery within East Lothian you should contact the registrar's office at Haddington by emailing bereavement@eastlothian.gov.uk
Amenity services are responsible for the maintenance of all cemeteries and burial grounds in East Lothian. Partnering with the council's Registration Team, we provide a courteous and professional burial service.
To arrange a burial in a council cemetery or woodland, buy a lair, erect and maintain a monument or plaque, or for queries around the management or maintenance of a cemetery, please contact us via the details on this page.
Costs of buying a lair and arranging a burial
Regulations for the management of burial grounds
Bereavement Team
Our office hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 12.30pm.
We offer an appointment only service. If you would like to see a member of the bereavement team in person, please call or email to make an appointment. We may not be able to see you without an appointment.
Burial Times
- Monday to Thursday 10:30am and 1pm
- Friday 10am
- Any service out with normal hours will be at the discretion of the council and may incur a higher charge
Funeral directors
Funeral directors are informed on the management of our burial grounds and are best placed to guide you through the processes when the need arises.
Placement of Memorial Stone
To place a memorial stone, you will need to instruct a monumental sculpture to complete an application with East Lothian Council.
East Lothian Council is registered with the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) scheme. Memorial Masons wishing to carry out work in East Lothian Council burial grounds, including the installation, maintenance and cleaning of memorials, are required to be on the BRAMM register (or equivalent). Work carried out by a Memorial Mason must comply with Code of Working Practice and current standard of BS8415.
If you have any queries please email monumentenquiries@eastlothian.gov.uk
Grave decorations
We may remove flowers and artefacts 14 days after the burial. If you would like to keep them, please arrange to remove them.