Burial Grounds

St Luke & All Saints Church Graveyard

The churchyard of St Luke & All Saints is a historic medieval burial ground, with origins dating back to the Norman period. The present church contains substantial parts of the 13th-century building, making the church and its surrounding graveyard an important part of Darrington’s heritage.

The earliest surviving parish burial records date from 1567, although burials are believed to have taken place here for many centuries before written records began.

The graveyard also has a fascinating connection to one of Britain’s most celebrated naval heroes, Admiral Frank Sotheron (1765–1839). Born into the Sotheron family of Darrington Hall, Sotheron enjoyed a distinguished career in the Royal Navy and eventually became an Admiral of the White. During his career, he served alongside Vice-Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson, who held him in high regard, describing him as having “every qualification of a complete gentleman and an excellent Officer”. Sotheron later returned to his Yorkshire roots and was buried at Darrington, providing a lasting link between our village and one of the most celebrated periods in British naval history.

Church of England churchyards are subject to ecclesiastical law, with much of the law relating specifically to churchyards governed by common law.

Burials and cremation plots

There are currently no burial plots available in the churchyard, except where an existing family plot has space available. Cremation plots are available.

For further information, please visit the church website or contact Reverend Adrian Judd at [email protected].

Local Authority Cemeteries

For those looking for an alternative to burial at St Luke & All Saints Church, Wakefield Council operates 19 cemeteries across the district. The cemeteries closest to Darrington include those at Pontefract, Knottingley and Ferrybridge.

Burial plots and the Right of Burial

When you purchase a grave through Wakefield Council, an Exclusive Right of Burial is granted for a period of 100 years. This gives the registered holder the right to arrange for the grave to be reopened for further burials and to authorise the erection of a headstone or other memorial, subject to the Council's regulations and approval.

The Exclusive Right of Burial does not mean that the grave or the land itself is owned by the purchaser. It is a legal right relating to the particular grave space for the period specified in the grant.

If an existing family grave has space for a further burial, the registered holder of the Right of Burial will normally need to authorise the reopening of the grave. Where the registered holder has died, it may be possible for the right to be transferred to another person. The Council can advise on the evidence and procedures required in these circumstances.

Further information

Wakefield Council provides information about cemeteries, buying a grave, burials, headstones and memorials through its Bereavement Services.

For further information, please visit the Wakefield Council website or contact Bereavement Services:

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01924 307446

The operation of local authority cemeteries is principally governed by the Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977, together with other relevant legislation and regulations.

Private Cemeteries

Private and independent cemeteries may operate under different arrangements from local authority cemeteries. The rights granted, fees, terms of burial and management arrangements can vary, so it is important to establish the terms before purchasing a grave.

If considering a private cemetery, you may wish to check:

  1. How long the Right of Burial lasts and what happens when that period expires.
  2. What type of grave is being purchased, including whether it is intended for a single burial or allows for further burials or the interment of cremated remains.
  3. Who owns and manages the cemetery and the land, and who is responsible for maintaining the burial ground.
  4. What restrictions and conditions apply to memorials, grave maintenance and future burials.
  5. What happens if the cemetery operator or owner changes, and what records will be kept relating to the burial rights.

The legal framework for private burial grounds is different from that applying to local authority cemeteries and can depend on the circumstances and history of the particular cemetery. The Ministry of Justice has responsibility for burial law and policy, but private cemeteries are not regulated in exactly the same way as local authority cemeteries.

If you are considering purchasing a grave in a private cemetery, it is advisable to obtain the terms of the burial right in writing and seek appropriate professional advice if you are unsure about the legal arrangements.