The Vale Cemetery and Crematorium
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About the Vale Cemetery and Crematorium
Welcome to the Vale Cemetery and Crematorium. The Vale opened in 1959 and was blessed by the Diocese of St. Albans. It continues to this day, to be a beautiful, peaceful and celebratory place of remembrance.
The Vale is situated on the outskirts of Luton and is in close proximity to Hitchin, Stevenage, Letchworth and surrounding areas. This makes it a convenient and ideal place to remember a loved one.
The site is lovingly looked after by our dedicated grounds maintenance team, who ensure that our grounds are kept clean and tidy to create a tranquil space for reflection.
Scale of charges
Please view the latest scale of charges for cemeteries and crematorium.
See the scale of charges for 2023 to 2024
Your service at The Vale and what we offer
We offer a range of different options for your service at The Vale. We have two chapels within our site. The larger Oak Chapel is for cremations only and seats up to 120 people, with the smaller Cedar Chapel being available for use for both cremations and burials.
At The Vale, we have sanctum vaults where ashes can be interred, as well as a memorial garden where we can facilitate ashes being scattered or buried. We offer a range of memorials for the crematorium, including a book of remembrance and memorial plaques.
A full list of the range of services we offer, including prices, can be found on the Scale of Charges for cemeteries and crematorium.
The Vale Cemetery extension
We have recently expanded into land adjacent to the existing cemetery, also situated in Stopsley, creating an additional 7,000 grave plots. The beautiful new site is situated on green belt land and we want to retain the openness of the site and maintain the tranquillity of the area. The plan for the site can be found attached.
The plans and standards for individual plots at the new site are very similar to those already in place at the current cemetery, including:
- full kerbset – either 1, 2, or 3 tier filled with soil or grass
- kerbs, which create a rectangular border around the grave, can be constructed from marble or granite, for example - the middle section of the grave must remain soil to help with drainage and prevent flooding
- flowers are permitted in the middle soil section, but their height shouldn’t be greater than the headstone to maintain the open space feel of a cemetery
- standard sized headstone - 39" high, 30" wide, 18" deep
- earth mounds (mass of earth placed over a grave) with wooden surrounds – defining a grave plot, wooden surrounds can be used as an alternative to kerbing for graves that have recently had a burial
- personal items within the grave plot – not to be higher than the standard size headstone
- loan chairs will be available on-site – free of charge
- underground chambers (concrete chambers that are placed in the ground to house coffins) and shrouds (material used to wrap a body when a coffin is not used) are permitted
To ensure the extension of The Vale cemetery remains a dignified place for all families at each resting place, we'll be implementing the following regulations:
- no encroachment outside of the designated plot – that is no personal tributes that cross boundaries onto an adjacent grave space or the walkway space between graves
- no items that could contribute to flood risk – such as artificial grass, paving slabs or tiles, stones or shingle filled inside kerbsets
- no items that could cause a health or safety risk
- planting trees or bushes is not allowed as their roots will eventually damage graves
- permanent placement of seating /chairs is not permitted and loan chairs with be available on site – free of charge.
These above regulations are in relation to the extension of The Vale Cemetery only.
Parking
Disabled parking will be available at the new site but able bodied people will be required to park in the site’s existing car park. Between the existing and new site, there is a footpath across the road. There is also a service road for the hearses.
Our priority has been to maximise the number of burial plots we can host within the site. If we were to build a car park for the new site, it would result in the loss of up to 500 grave spaces and have a detrimental effect on the environment.
Include images of the new site, as well as the parking and the new road - these will all be available once those have been taken and a separate DWR will be submitted
Frequently asked questions
A survey of the Vale's burial capacity conducted in 2018 suggested that the cemetery would run out of burial land by 2025. Unfortunately, a rise in deaths and burials during COVID 19 has made the need for extension even more urgent before the site runs out of burial land.
The extension will not only accommodate future demand but will continue to serve as a peaceful place to remember loved ones.
Between the sites, there will be a footpath across the road. There will also be a service road for hearses.
There are washroom facilities at the current site which visitors are still able to use.
Visitors can bring their dogs to the cemetery provided they are leashed at all times, and their waste must be cleaned up and disposed of appropriately.
We’ve been engaging with funeral directors, faith leaders and families about the plans. The Vale management team also held a number of daytime, evening, and weekend drop-in sessions with stakeholders, residents, and the general public at the Vale, Bury Park Community Centre, and the Mall.
We continue to have spaces available at the existing site and do not anticipate any disruption to our ability to offer burials.
The new Vale cemetery extension is expected to be in operation from May 2024.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the proposals, please email [email protected]
Location and contact details
The Vale Cemetery
Butterfield Green Road
Luton
LU2 8DD
T: 01582 723700
368.5 kB