We manage and operate three Cemeteries within Darlington:
West Cemetery, Carmel Road
The largest of the cemeteries, established in 1858. There is a cemetery chapel within the grounds, which can be used for services prior to a grave side committal. In addition to a war grave section, there are also two areas for those of Jewish faith.
North Cemetery, North Road
Situated off North Road and Thompson Street West in Darlington burials first took place here in 1874. There is a central monument located within the cemetery to show the area as a gift to the town from the Pease family.
In addition to sites for those of Church of England and Catholic faith, there is an area for those with Muslim faith.
East Cemetery, Geneva Road
The smallest of the Council run Cemeteries; first opened in 1928 and is situated off Geneva Road, Darlington.
Bookings
All burial bookings are taken through the Cemetery Office; burials take place:
Monday to Thursday 9.00am – 11.30am and 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Friday 9.00am – 11.30am and 1.30pm – 2.00pm
New Purchase Graves
If a new purchase grave is required, the applicant will be given the opportunity of meeting a Cemetery Officer at an appointed time to choose an available grave site. Alternatively the Council can allocate a site upon request.
Exclusive Rights of Burial are issued to the applicant(s) for a 50 year period which ensures the applicant is the only person who can decide who is buried in the grave and what type of memorial is erected.
Reopen Graves
If a grave is to be reopened for a new burial, it is necessary to obtain the permission of the original holder of the Exclusive Rights. If that is the person who is to be buried then this can simply be achieved however, if the original grave documents are lost, then some investigation must be made into where the rights are held and this must be achieved before the grave is opened for burial.
Cemeteries and Crematorium Fees NEED LINK
Cemetery Maintenance
The grounds maintenance and grave digging within the cemeteries is carried out by our own dedicated team of staff. All areas of the cemeteries are subject to a standard level of maintenance.
Grave Maintenance
An annual grave maintenance scheme is in operation for traditional grave sites where on payment of an annual fee there are options to plant, box hedge or soil the grave. Further information and advice in this respect can be obtained from the Cemetery Office.
Headstones/Memorials
The headstone or memorial placed on a grave is always the property of the applicant. In order to arrange for a headstone or memorial to be sited, there is an application form to be completed with an approved stonemason. Only authorised masons [pdf document] are able to fix memorials within the cemetery as they have been vetted for their fixing method and hold the required public liability insurance.
Frequently asked questions about headstone safety [pdf document]
Family History or Searches
We can assist in searches, but this work is not given priority and we require you to provide as much detailed information as possible to assist in the search. Microfilmed copies of the burial registers are available to view at the Local Studies Centre at Crown Street Reference Library in Darlington.
Darlington Register Office also has a search facility on this website, which is useful to clarify the year someone has died.