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Graves and carrying out works in burial grounds

The burial ground registrar will agree the purchase of the right of burial in burial plots with you. There are a number of lawn cemeteries. 

Graves

The size of a double plot is 2.75 metres (9 feet) long and 2.5 metres (8 feet) wide. A single plot is 2.75 meters (9 feet) long and 1.25 metres (4 feet) wide.

The registrar of a burial ground will agree the exact position of each burial plot with you. You cannot purchase a right of burial in advance in council burial grounds. It may be possible to purchase a right of burial in advance in community and privately operated burial grounds.

The burial ground registrar or a staff member authorised on behalf of the council will agree the purchase of the right of burial in burial plots with you.

Lawn cemeteries

We operate the following cemeteries as lawn cemeteries:

  • Illaunmanagh
  • Ballycannon
  • Quin
  • Scariff (new)
  • Ennistymon (new)
  • Parts of Drumcliff (Section E)

You may erect headstones. You may not erect kerbs or surrounds  in the above lawn cemeteries. We maintain all burial plots as grassed areas. 

We reserve the right to remove any kerbs, ornaments, shrubs or other obstructions without notice.

Carrying out works - important information for undertakers/memorial sculptors

You should ensure that all headstones, kerbing and other works comply with the terms outlined in Clare County Council's Burial Ground Bye-Laws 2015.

You should ensure that written approval was provided by the council before you commence any works to erect or place a headstone, kerbing, tablets, etc. on any plot in a council burial ground.

  • The height of the headstone must not exceed 1.5 metres (4 foot 11 inches) above ground level
  • You must ensure that all plot fees owed to the council are paid before you apply to erect a headstone
  • You must provide signed permission to erect a memorial to the caretaker/registrar before you begin works
  • Please review Bye Law 16 of the Burial Ground Bye-Laws 2015 for detailed information

Before you commence any work at the burial plot, you should complete the Application for permission to erect a new memorial or restore/replace/alter an existing memorial and submit the form to:

Burial Grounds Unit,
Rural Development Development Directorate,
Clare County Council,
Áras Contae an Chláir,
New Road, 
Ennis,
Co. Clare.
V95 DXP2.

Page last reviewed: 10/10/19

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