Cremation Plot . Renewal of Lease. Experience of this?

How upsetting for you and your sister-in-law, mumski

I have never heard of this and assumed a plot would be paid for and the price included in the funeral costs.

Others may be along in a minute with advice, but I would say don't pay until you have checked this out with the original funeral directors and the crematorium.

It might be a scam, if so a very sick one indeed.

I would ring the cremation place and talk to them personally
I don’t know about cremation plots as I just want my ashes strewn but I originally bought a plot as I intended being buried as all my family have been but later changed my mind and sold it back to them but I do remember the plot was only bought for a period of time I think it was 50 years it wasn’t a forever thing so this may be the same

I've just looked online 'Interment of Ashes what you need to know'. It would seem most plots are leased, some for 50 years, others less. Charges vary depending on the local authority etc. etc.

Sorry Callistemon21, I probably wasn't clear enough. Sadly my brother was buried elsewhere, as that was what my sister in law wanted. Another story. .
This is just where Mum and Dad were buried, but any letters to do with their plot would have gone to him in the past.
Thank you for your kind thoughts.

mumski

Sorry Callistemon21, I probably wasn't clear enough. Sadly my brother was buried elsewhere, as that was what my sister in law wanted. Another story. .
This is just where Mum and Dad were buried, but any letters to do with their plot would have gone to him in the past.
Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Yes, I did understand, perhaps I wasn't clear
I thought it might have been upsetting for your SisIL receiving this letter about burial plots so soon after your brother's death.

The original funeral director should be able to help you, I think.

My mil died in 2004/5 We have had two requests so far for us to pay 💰 otherwise they will re use the place where her ashes are buried. I wasn’t expecting this and would have queried but DH paid up
My mum died 10 years ago and so far we havnt had a similar request.

I can't remember how much we paid for my mum's, £100 or £120 which included the cost of the plaque and is for a period of 10 years.

Just to update you all.
I spoke to the Crem yesterday. To renew the lease on Mum and Dad's plot for another 25 years would be £990 or for 10 years £595. My brother is convinced he won't be here in 10 years so won't be worried when it runs out. .
It does seem legitimate but not something a lot of people have come across.

Thank you for the update mumski

It does seem legitimate
Not something I've heard of either and I'm surprised.

So - what happens if a family can't afford to pay the lease?
My mind is running on all kinds of scenarios!

If the lease isn’t renewed the plot can be reused. If the ashes were interred in urns perhaps you could, if you wished, have them taken out for scattering if you don’t want to renew the lease. It is a lot of money to find.

If the family can’t afford it they ask for the ashes back to either keep or scatter Callistemon

I did ask what would happen if we didn't renew.
Apparently, the stone would remain ours and we could take it away or they would dispose of it if that's what we wanted.
She said the ashes would not be disturbed.
Thinking about it, when I've been up there to visit, there are a number of plots where the stone has be removed, leaving paving slabs and the outline where the stone used to be. Vey sad.
I'm sure it is all legitimate, but it's still a lot of money for some families to find.

This sort of thing happens in private crematoriums
We had a relatives ashes scattered under a tree of our choice.
We took out a lease for 10 years and knew approximately when it would expire.
We were duly contacted and took out a further 25 years lease.
It is expensive but they look after the plot well and they are in business to make money unlike council run crematoriums.