Burial Grounds

How local authorities manage burial grounds

Local authorities are responsible for the upkeep of the burial grounds they own, and this includes:

• Managing the sale of plots
• Providing permission for headstones
• Managing the registration of burials and noting the location of the grave
• Looking after the upkeep of burial grounds
• Grave opening and closing services

Often, a funeral director will manage the sale of plots, permission for headstones, and registration of burials on your behalf. However, if you wish to discuss buying a plot in a local authority burial ground, you can get in touch with the environment section of the local authority yourself. 

Local authorities also manage a number of registers in relation to burial grounds, including those not owned by the local authority. These include:

• Burials register
• Gravedigger registration
• Grave owners register

Voluntary cemetery maintenance groups

Although a caretaker is usually responsible for the upkeep of burial grounds, volunteer groups can come together to look after burial grounds. These groups can receive support from the local authority through the Burial Grounds Maintenance Community Grant to cover the costs of activities like grass cutting, weeding, planting, and looking after other parts of the cemetery.

If you would like to start a volunteer group to look after a burial ground, or if you would like to join an existing group, contact your local authority who may be able to provide information or support. Find out more about financial supports for voluntary groups.

Byelaws for burial grounds

Local authorities can introduce byelaws for cemeteries, which outline the rules for burial grounds. These can include the hours that funeral services can take place, how and when to provide notice about burials, the depth of the graves, the size of grave spaces, registration for burials, the purchasing of grave spaces, as well as accepted behaviour on the grounds and rules surrounding headstones and monuments. 

Local authorities may run consultations around the byelaws for burial grounds, giving the public the opportunity to share their views on the proposed bylaws for the cemetery.

Historical burial grounds

Ireland has many cemeteries of historic and cultural importance across the country. As part of their heritage and conservation work, local authorities may manage historic burial grounds to protect their historic, cultural and social importance and preserve them for the future.