Compassionate burial services with personalised support for families across Sunderland.
At Tony Clarke Funeral Directors, we help families arrange burial services in Sunderland with care, dignity and clear guidance.
Whether you are arranging a church service followed by burial, a graveside service, or a simpler direct burial, we will explain each step and help you understand what needs to be arranged.
We can liaise with local cemeteries, clergy, celebrants and third-party providers, so your family does not have to manage everything alone.
Our burial services may include:
Collection and care of your loved one
Liaising with local cemeteries in Sunderland
Arranging clergy or celebrants
Organising funeral transport
Coordinating floral tributes
Support with paperwork and documentation
Guidance on cemetery fees and grave paperwork
We will guide you through each step clearly, so your family feels supported and informed.
If you are thinking about arranging a burial and would like clear advice, we are here to help.
We can talk you through the burial process, explain cemetery fees, answer your questions and help you choose the funeral service that feels right for your family.
Call us on 0191 565 6055, visit our Contact Page, or view our Funeral Packages.
We regularly work with local cemeteries including:
Castletown Cemetery (opened on 21 May 1921 and covers 4.5 acres of ground).
Easington Lane Cemetery (opened in May 1892).
Hetton Cemetery (opened in May 1891).
Houghton Cemetery (was originally opened in Durham Road on the 1st March 1892).
Mere Knolls Cemetery (was opened in 1856 having an area of 32 acres. It has since been extended and is now currently 42 acres in size).
Ryhope Cemetery (opened on 23rd November 1898 and covers an area of 9.5 acres).
Southwick Cemetery (opened on 2 October 1884. Southwick Cemetery occupies a site which is now 21 acres).
Grangetown Cemetery (opened in 1855 on an original 12 acre).
Washington Cemetery (opened in January 1902).
Harton Cemetery
Hebburn Cemetery
Jarrow Cemetery
Whitburn Cemetery
Durham Road Cemeteries
Birtley Cemetery
Other council-managed sites
If your chosen cemetery is not listed, we will liaise directly with the local authority on your behalf.
If you have a family grave or are arranging a new burial plot, we will liaise directly with the cemetery on your behalf.
We also arrange burials at cemeteries in Newcastle upon Tyne and surrounding areas.
If your chosen cemetery is not listed, we can contact the local authority or cemetery office on your behalf.
If you already have a family grave, or you are arranging a new burial plot, we can help you understand what paperwork and permissions may be needed.
Every family is different. We can help you create a meaningful tribute, which may include:
Your loved one remains in our care here in Sunderland until the day of the service.
Yes.
If your family does not already own a grave, you will need to purchase the Exclusive Right of Burial from the local council or cemetery authority.
This gives your family the legal right to be buried in that plot for a set number of years (usually 50–100 years depending on the cemetery).
We arrange this on your behalf and explain all costs clearly before anything is confirmed.
If there is an existing family grave, we can arrange to reopen it — provided:
The burial rights are still valid
The registered grave owner gives permission
If the original grave owner has passed away, the rights may need to be legally transferred. We guide families through that process.
There are usually two separate costs:
The cost of purchasing the grave (if needed)
The burial/interment fee charged each time the grave is opened
We provide a clear breakdown so there are no surprises.
In most cases, yes — but fees vary.
If the person lived outside the local council area, there may be higher “non-resident” fees.
We will check availability and costs for you before arrangements are finalised.
Cemetery availability
Paperwork
Religious requirements
Family preferences
Yes.
You can choose:
A service at church followed by burial
A service at the cemetery chapel
A graveside-only service
We coordinate everything with clergy or celebrants.
The cemetery or local authority arranges the grave preparation.
We liaise directly with them so the family doesn’t need to.
Not immediately.
Most cemeteries require a waiting period (often 6–12 months) to allow the ground to settle.
We can guide you through:
Headstone rules
Permits
Approved designs
Installation
If finances are a concern, please speak to us openly.
There may be:
Government support (Funeral Expenses Payment)
Flexible payment options
Alternative service options
We will always discuss this privately and respectfully.
Yes, depending on availability in the region.
Natural burial grounds have specific rules (biodegradable coffin, no traditional headstone, etc.). We can explain those options clearly.
We regularly work with cemeteries across Sunderland, South Tyneside, County Durham and nearby areas. If you are unsure which cemetery applies, or whether a family grave can be reopened, we can contact the cemetery office or local authority on your behalf.