Sunderland City Council
Sunderland Cemeteries
Bishopwearmouth, Castletown, Southwick & Grangetown — we handle all permits and council liaison across Sunderland’s municipal cemeteries.
General Council Regulations
The following rules apply across all Sunderland City Council cemeteries. Individual sites may have additional requirements.
All memorials must be installed by a council-approved stonemason
A permit must be obtained from Sunderland Bereavement Services before installation
Kerb sets are only permitted in designated traditional sections
Timber, plastic, and fibreglass memorials are not permitted on any Sunderland site
Foundations must comply with the NAMM Code of Working Practice 2015
Memorials must not be erected within 12 months of burial in most sections
Artificial flowers may be placed but must be removed within 4 weeks
Memorials must not obstruct pathways or neighbouring grave spaces
- Required / Permitted
- Conditional
- Not Permitted
Individual Cemetery Information
Detailed regulations and information for each Sunderland City Council cemetery.
- Chester Road, Sunderland SR4 7SU
Established
1856
One of Sunderland’s oldest and most historically significant cemeteries, Bishopwearmouth contains many fine Victorian memorials. The council takes particular care to preserve the character of this site and applies strict regulations accordingly.
Sections Available
- Victorian traditional graves
- Lawn section
- War graves
- Cremated remains garden
Important Notes
Due to the historic nature of this cemetery, all new memorials must be sympathetic in style to the surrounding graves. The council may request design approval before a permit is issued. We liaise directly with the heritage officer where required.
Memorial Regulations
Max Height
1066mm (3ft 6 inch)
Max Width
1168mm (3ft 10 inch)
Kerb Sets
Permitted (traditional sections)
Chippings
Permitted in traditional sections only
Permit Required
Yes — we handle this for you
Permitted Materials
- Granite
- Marble
- Natural stone
- Sandstone (restoration only)
Not Permitted
- Timber
- Plastic
- Fibreglass
- Painted stone
- 20 Hylton Castle Rd, Castletown, Sunderland SR5 3EG
Established
1921
A modern, well-maintained cemetery in the north of Sunderland. Castletown has a predominantly lawn layout with clear, consistent regulations that make the permit process straightforward.
Sections Available
- Traditional graves
- Lawn section
- Children's section
- Cremated remains section
Important Notes
Castletown is a predominantly lawn cemetery. Kerb sets are not permitted anywhere on site. Headstones must be of a standard upright design. Vases must be of the flush-fitting type approved by the council.
Memorial Regulations
Max Height
1066mm (3ft 6 inch)
Max Width
1168mm (3ft 10 inch)
Kerb Sets
Not permitted
Chippings
Not permitted in lawn sections
Permit Required
Yes — we handle this for you
Permitted Materials
- Granite
- Marble
- Reconstituted stone
Not Permitted
- Timber
- Plastic
- Natural rough stone
- Slate
- Wembley Rd, Sunderland SR5 5TB
Established
1844
Serving the communities of Southwick and Hylton, this cemetery has a traditional character with a mix of older and newer sections. The council applies standard Sunderland City regulations with some site-specific provisions.
Sections Available
- Traditional graves
- Lawn section
- Garden of Remembrance
Important Notes
The Garden of Remembrance at Southwick has specific plaque dimensions set by the council. Upright memorials are not permitted in this section. We will advise you on the correct specification for your chosen section.
Memorial Regulations
Max Height
1066mm (3ft 6 inch)
Max Width
1168mm (3ft 10 inch)
Kerb Sets
Permitted (traditional sections)
Chippings
Permitted with council approval
Permit Required
Yes — we handle this for you
Permitted Materials
- Granite
- Marble
- Natural stone
Not Permitted
- Timber
- Plastic
- Fibreglass
- 28 Kitchener Terrace, Sunderland SR2 9RR
Established
1855
A large, well-established cemetery in the Grangetown area, serving a wide catchment across central and south Sunderland. The site has extensive traditional and lawn sections with clear zoning.
Sections Available
- Traditional graves
- Lawn section
- Cremated remains section
- Children's section
- War graves
Important Notes
This is one of Sunderland’s busiest cemeteries. Permit applications can take up to 6 weeks during peak periods. We recommend beginning the process as early as possible. We manage all applications and will keep you informed throughout.
Memorial Regulations
Max Height
1066mm (3ft 6 inch)
Max Width
1168mm (3ft 10 inch)
Kerb Sets
Permitted (traditional sections)
Chippings
Permitted in traditional sections only
Permit Required
Yes — we handle this for you
Permitted Materials
- Granite (all colours)
- Marble
- Natural stone
- Slate
Not Permitted
- Timber
- Plastic
- Fibreglass
- Painted stone
Ready to Discuss Your Memorial?
We will handle every aspect of the permit process for Sunderland Council — from initial application through to installation. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.