Thetford Cemetery
Thetford Cemetery is located on the London Road. It holds plots for all denominations. The address for the cemetery is: London Road Cemetery, London Road, Thetford, IP24 3HZ.
We endeavour to create a pleasant environment for all users of the Cemetery and it is hoped the area is respected by those who visit.
We regularly inspect the Cemetery but please help to keep the area a pleasant place by reporting any concerns you might have regarding the Cemetery to the Town Council Office by telephoning 01842 754247 or emailing [email protected]
Cemetery Opening Hours:
· Summer Weekdays (April to September inc.): 08.00 to 19.00
· Winter Weekdays (October to March inc.): 08.00 to 16.00
· Weekends / Public Holidays: 08.00 to 16.00
Interment times
An interment can be booked Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) subject to availability.
· 10.00 to 15.00 (April to September inc.)
· 10.00 to 14.00 (October to March inc.)
· 10.00 to 14.00 (Fridays)
Facilities and services
We have a traditional chapel with seating for approximately 50 people which can be hired for a funeral service. A small traditional pipe organ and hymn books are available.
Dogs – dogs must be kept on a lead and bins are used for all dog waste to help keep the Cemetery tidy for everyone who visits.
Maintenance
We are responsible for the maintenance of the Cemetery. It is the responsibility of the next of kin to ensure that memorials are kept in good order and that mowers and machinery are not obstructed by incorrectly positioned vases, containers and other items. We undertake memorial inspections from time to time, and in the event of a memorial being found to be unstable we will endeavour to contact relatives to ask them to repair the memorial. It is only as a last resort that we lay memorials down.
Grass cutting
We aim to cut the grass on all grave areas on a fortnightly basis during the grass cutting season – April to October. The frequency is dependent on the weather conditions and the number of burials taking place each day. The clippings arising from cutting operations are not collected. On occasions some unsightliness or nuisance is unavoidable but paths should always be left broadly clear of cuttings so as not to compromise their safe use.
Obtaining Family History Information
Council staff are pleased to assist with providing information on burials to people looking into their family ancestry.
However, it should be borne in mind that this is not a core activity for the Council and it may take a little time to search for this information – please be patient with us whilst we investigate on your behalf.
It is preferred to deal with such requests by email to [email protected]
Support when a death occurs
Registering a death
To register a death, you will need a medical certificate signed by a doctor. Once you have this you will need to register the death within five days, including weekends and bank holidays. It is best to do this with a registry office in the area where the death took place. If you go to a registry office outside the area it may take longer to get the necessary documents and slow down any funeral arrangements.
You will need the following details in order to register a death:
· a medical certificate with the cause of death signed by the doctor.
· the date and place of the death.
· their full names and any previous names – including maiden names (with marriage certificate for evidence).
· their usual home address and postcode.
· their date and place of birth – please bring a birth certificate, if available.
· their occupation.
· the full name, date of birth and occupation of their spouse (for a married or widowed woman) or civil partner.
· National Health Service (NHS) number, medical card or Serco letter from the health authority.
If the death occurred in Norfolk please click this link https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths for more information and to book an appointment online or you can telephone them on 0344 800 8020.
If the death occurred in Suffolk please click this link https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/how-to-register-a-death for more information and to book an appointment online or you can telephone them on 0345 607 2040.
Register a stillbirth
A stillborn child is legally defined as a child born after the 24th week of pregnancy, who did not at any time after being born, breathe or show any other signs of life.
A child who breathed or showed other signs of life is considered live born for registration purposes, irrespective of the number of weeks’ duration of the pregnancy.
When a child is stillborn, the doctor or midwife who was present at the birth or examined the body will issue a medical certificate of stillbirth. The person who registers the stillbirth must take this certificate to the registrar’s office.
Please visit: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths/births/register-a-stillbirth for more information and to book an appointment online or you can telephone them on 0344 800 8020.
Please visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/how-to-register-a-death for more information and to book an appointment online or you can telephone them on 0345 607 2040.
Obtain a copy of a death certificate
Please visit: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths/copy-certificates to apply for a copy of a death certificate in Norfolk or you can telephone them on 0344 800 8020.
Please visit: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/apply-for-a-copy-of-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate/apply-for-copy-of-a-death-certificate to apply for a copy of a death certificate in Suffolk.
You can also email them at [email protected] or telephone 0345 607 2060.
Who to tell
When someone dies you need to contact a wide variety of organisations to inform them of the death.
There are two services that can help you with this process:
Tell us once
Tell us once is a free service that lets you report a death to most government departments and local councils in one go. When you register the death the registrar will give you a unique number so you can use this service online or by phone, which is valid for 28 days.
If there is an inquest you can still get a unique number from the registrar. You will need to get an interim death certificate from the coroner holding the inquest first.
Please visit https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once to complete the form online.
Death Notification Service
The Death Notification Service is a free service that has been set up by several banks and building societies so you can notify them of a person’s death.
Find out which banks and building societies are involved.
The Coroner
Please visit https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths/deaths/the-coroner for more information on the role of the coroner in Norfolk or you can telephone them on 0344 800 8020.
Please visit https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/the-coroner-service for more information on the role of the coroner in Suffolk or you can telephone them on 0345 607 2040.