Buying a grave

Tower Hamlets burial subsidy

As there are no burial facilities within the borough, Tower Hamlets council has launched an innovative burial subsidy scheme, which will contribute towards the burial expenses of the borough’s residents.

Any Tower Hamlets resident who has passed away and is interred within either the City of London Cemetery, Wanstead or Gardens of Peace Cemetery, Hainault, will qualify for a payment of £225.00 towards the cost of their burial expenses. This is payable after the funeral takes place.

This service is currently only offered for burials.

Who can claim this subsidy?

In order to qualify for the £225 contribution, the person responsible for the payment of the burial expenses for a Tower Hamlets resident must contact the registration service for an application form. The person responsible for the burial expenses does not need to be a resident of the borough.

In the case of a resident who has passed away within the borough an application may be made at the time of registration. Alternatively, an application can be submitted at a later date.

Once the completed application form has been received with relevant documentation (see below) a payment will be made directly to the applicant.

Information/documentation required on behalf of the deceased:

Confirmation of electoral roll registration and/or council tax registration
If these documents are unavailable, then we accept TWO of the following documents:
Tenancy agreement
Mortgage details
Medical card
Driving licence
A recent bank statement (within 3 months prior to the death)
A recent utility bill (within 3 months prior to the death)
Death certificate (if registered outside the borough).

Documentation required from the applicant:

Proof of identification: passport or driving licence
Undertakers invoice & receipt (this includes confirmation of burial in either of the cemeteries)

Only original documents will be accepted. Once you have completed the application form and collated the necessary documents, please contact the register office so that we can book you an appointment and process your application.

Your documents will be photocopied and given back to you on the day of your appointment. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS THROUGH THE POST.

Contact us:

For further information regarding the scheme or to obtain an application form please contact:

The Register Office
Bromley Public Hall
Bow Road
London E3 3AA
Tel: 020 7364 7880
Email: register.office@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Wednesday 9.30-11.30am and 2-4.30pm.

We do not operate an appointment system so you can attend this office anytime during the opening hours.

Alternatively, you may download the burial subsidy application form (pdf )

Burial subsidy leaflet (pdf )

For free translation of this information phone Newham translation service on

020 8430 6921

Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm