Burials and Cremations
Burials
Before a burial can take place, you need to own the Exclusive Right of Burial within a burial ground.
In Scotland, this is known as a Lair. In other parts of the UK, it is usually named a Burial Plot.
We can sell a lair upon application.
Only the person who owns the lair can use it, give permission for the use by someone else, or the next surviving relatives can provide approval if the owner themselves is deceased.
The lair can be sold or transferred to another person through a formal registration transfer.
Purchasing lairs in advance
The advanced pre-purchase of lairs applies to burial grounds with sufficient capacity.
In burial grounds with low capacity, lairs cannot be purchased in advance.
Lairs will be available for purchase at the time of need in burial grounds where pre-purchasing is unavailable.
Whilst we endeavour to provide double-depth lairs where possible, some burial grounds allow for only single-depth. Where this is applicable, two single-depth adjacent lairs will be offered for the price of one double-depth lair.
For more information on purchasing a lair or if you have any queries regarding a burial ground, contact your local office.
The following burial grounds currently offer the option to pre-purchase lairs in advance, where possible:
Alness (Wards 6 and 7)
- Kilmuir Easter
- Kiltearn (Evanton)
Badenoch and Strathspey (Ward 20)
- Advie
- Banchor
- Carrbridge
- Cromdale
- Grantown
- Insh
- Kingussie New
- Laggan
- Laggantygown
Caithness and North West Sutherland (Wards 1, 2 and 3)
- Balnakeil
- Bower
- Bunahoun
- Canisbay
- Clachan
- Latheron
- Olrig
- Scourie
- Sheigra
- Skerray
- Strathy
- Syre
- Thrumster
- Tongue
Dingwall and Black Isle (Wards 5, 8 and 9)
- Achanault
- Avoch
- Contin
- Cromarty Wester (Chapel Brae)
- Cullicudden St Martins
- Fodderty
- Fortrose New (Fortrose and Rosemarkie)
- Garve
- Killearnan (Redcastle)
- Kinlochluiart
- Mitchell Hill
- Urquhart New
Drummuie (Wards 1 and 4)
- Clyne
- Creich
- Croick
- Edderton
- Helmsdale
- Invershin
- Kildonan
- Kincardine
- Loth
- Proncynain (Dornoch)
- Rogart
- Stoer New
Gairloch (Ward 5)
- Gairloch
- Kinlochewe
- Laide
- Mellon Charles (Aultbea)
- Poolewe
Inverness (Wards 12, 13, 17 and 19)
- Auchterawe
- Beauly St Marys
- Cannich
- Croy
- Dalarossie
- Dalchreichart
- Daviot
- Drumtemple
- Dunlichity
- Foyers
- Glenconvinth
- Invermoriston
- Jenkins Park
- Kilmore New
- Kilmore Old
- Kilvean
- Moy
- Struy
Kyle (Ward 5)
- Applecross
- Kishorn
- Lochcarron
Lochaber (Wards 11 and 21)
- Acharacle
- Bunavullin/Killunaig
- Drimnatorran
- Invergarry
- Keil Morvern (Lochaline)
- Kilchoan New
Nairnshire (Ward 18)
- Ardclach
- Auldearn
- Cawdor
- Nairn
Skye and Lochalsh (Wards 5 and 10)
- Ardearg
- Balmacara
- Clachan Duich
- Edinbane
- Glendale
- Glenelg
- Kilbeg
- Kilmaluag
- Kilmuir
- Raasay Orchard Wood
- Strathaird
- Struan New
- Trien
- Trumpan
- Uig
Tain (Ward 7)
- Balintore New
- Chapelhill
- Logie Easter
- St Duthus
Ullapool (Ward 5)
- Badenscallie (Achiltibuie)
- Gruinard
- Morefield Ullapool
Home burials
There are no laws against burials on private land, although planning permission may be required.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency should be contacted, and the burial site should be listed on the title deeds of the property.
Burial Ground Management Rules