Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about public cemeteries:

Q1. Where are the main public cemeteries located in the District and who is responsible for these?
A1. The two main cemeteries are located on the Newry Road in Banbridge and on the Mound Road in Dromore. The Council is responsible for the general management, regulation and control of these cemeteries.

Q2. Can I be buried here even though I don’t live in the District?
A2. Yes. You don't have to reside within this area to be buried here.

Q3. How much does it cost to purchase a plot for burial?
A3. It costs £230 if you reside in the District and £460 if you do not reside within the District.

Q4. What are the cemetery opening and closing times?
A4. Banbridge Public Cemetery is open daily to visitors during the following hours and throughout the following months of the year: April (8.30am–7.30pm)
May–August (8.30am–9.00pm), September (8.30am–8.00pm), October (8.30am–6.00pm) and November–March (8.30am–4.30pm). Dromore Public Cemetery is open at all times.

Q5. Can I put plants on a grave?
A5. No planting of any description is permitted. The Council reserves the right to remove all wreaths on the expiration of one month calculated from the date on which the burial took place. Where no headstone has been provided, one vase or similar vessel for holding cut flowers may be placed at the top of the grave. The vase or vessel must be removed when the headstone is erected.

Q6. Can I put permanent flowers or wreaths on the grave?
A6. Permanent wreaths, flower holders or memorial tablets must not be placed on any grave, nor inscription, rail fence, chain, surround, nor memorials other than standard headstones, shall be erected or made in any place of burial. Flower holders may only be provided where they are incorporated in the headstone.

Q7. Who is responsible for the upkeep of graves?
A7. The Council is responsible for the upkeep of graves along with the maintenance of paths, hedges, trees and grass verges.

Q8. Are cemetery records computerised?
A8. No, a manual copy is kept.

Q9. When can I purchase a grave?
A9.  If you are aged over 60 and reside within the District, you can purchase a single non-transferable plot. When a death occurs, you can purchase up to a maximum of three plots.

Q10. Can I choose any plot I like?
A10. Plots are sold consecutively in such order as may be determined by the Council.

Q11. How many burials can a plot take and what timeframe must elapse between each burial? 
A11. A maximum of three adults (or four if one is a child) may be buried in the same plot and there is no timeframe between burials.

Q12. Who do I contact within the Council if I want to arrange a burial?
A10. You can contact the Cemetery Supervisor at Banbridge Public Cemetery on 028 4066 2623 or the Council directly on 028 4066 0600. Alternatively, a local undertaker may contact the Council on your behalf.

Q13. Can a funeral take place at any time?
A11. No. Funerals should arrive at the cemetery no later than 3.00pm from Sunday to Friday and by 12 noon on Saturdays.

Q14. How can I submit or ask a question about public cemeteries?
A15. You can submit a question by selecting the 'Contact Us' link in the left hand navigation listing. Alternatively, you can contact the Cemetery Supervisor located at Banbridge Public Cemetery directly on 028 4066 2623 or 07884 237060.