Bereavement Services - A Guide to the City’s Cemeteries

This form allows you to request that Dundee City Council research the details of a family line in Scotland. It is normally possible to trace each family branch back to the late 17th century, although this cannot be guaranteed in each case. It is also possible to trace lineage forwards, to locate surviving family in Scotland.

The cost for Family History Research is £43 per hour . It is advisable however, to commission at least 2 or 3 hours research to allow a comprehensive report to be completed. If you have a simple, particular request which does not require a report, one hour research should be sufficient.

Please note that the cost for this service is payable in advance. Should we be unable to trace the person's details, we will contact you with the appropriate advice. A full refund will follow.

If the cemetery in question is Barnhill or Western(Perth Road) these archives haven’t been listed in alphabetical order, therefore this search takes longer. Anything before 1900 the writing can be harder to decipher so may involve a check in the lair books.

The Cemeteries are as follows:  Western Cemetery, Perth Road (1845 onwards), Eastern Necropolis, Arbroath Road (1862 onwards), Balgay Cemetery, Western Necropolis (1862 onwards), Birkhill (1989 onwards), Pitkerro Grove (2015 onwards). 

Burial History Request Form

During times of hard frost or snow cover there may be a possibility of some floral tributes being eaten by the Rabbits and the Roe Deer, this is due to the animals finding it difficult to source food in the surrounding areas. To alleviate this problem we would recommend that cellophane wrappings be kept on the tributes, or checking the list of plants that the Rabbits and Roe Deer may not eat, a list is also available on the cemetery notice board and in the cemetery waiting room.

Nepeta (catmint), Helichrysum (curry plant), Symphytum (comfrey), Bergenia, Fuchsia, Heather, Yucca, Brunnera, Tradescantia, Hardy Geranium, Digitalis, Aquilegia, Echinops, Zantedeschia, Geum, Alchemilia, Hosta, Crocosmia, Astilbe, Stachys, Narcissus, Rudbeckia, Anemone, Vinca, Thalictrum, Aconitum, Aster.

• Death Registration
• Respectful Funeral Service
• Funerals - Legal Responsibility

• Cemeteries of Historical Interest
• War Graves
• Family History Research Assistance
• Management Rules for Dundee City Council Cemeteries

We offer a variety of ways for you to remember loved ones including headstones, plaques, seats and trees.

* Please note that the Memorial Bench/Plaque/Tree Scheme is closed for 2024 and will be reopened for new applications in 2025. We are currently working through requests from 2019/20 and are grateful for your patience at this time. *

A new policy and procedure for memorials was agreed by councillors in August 2023. This new policy and procedure seeks to ensure a consistent approach to the provision of memorials throughout the city. 

• Download the Memorials Policy (438KB PDF) NB: Terms and conditions amended May 2024.

* As of October 2023, we are not currently able to accommodate further requests for memorials within the Broughty Ferry area. *

We have two types of lairs available:

• Traditional lawn grave
• Woodland, located only in Birkhill Cemetery, where the lair areas are currently maintained as a wildflower meadow and trees will be planted. Memorial headstones are not permitted in this area.
• A memorial wall is available for the erection of memorial plaques with the permission of Dundee City Council.

We have burial areas set aside for:

• Children at Birkhill Cemetery and Pitkerro Grove Cemetery
• Muslims at Birkhill Cemetery
• Jews at Eastern Cemetery
• Chinese at Pitkerro Grove Cemetery

Lairs are available for sale in:

• Birkhill Cemetery
• Pitkerro Grove Cemetery

There is a space for cremated remains only:

• Balgay Cemetery
• Birkhill Cemetery
• Pitkerro Grove Cemetery
• Western Cemetery

Burial Ground Charges