How to find out where your ancestor is buried

Before the introduction of civil registration in England and Wales, the Church kept the most consistent burial records. These parish registers, which span back as early as the 1530s, have also been digitised, taking the form of the National Burial Index.   

They often include the date of burial, the name of the deceased, their age, and sometimes even the location within the churchyard. In some cases, you’ll also find brief notes (such as ‘son of’ or ‘widow of’) which help confirm that the record relates to your ancestor.  

Try looking for burial registers for the parish where your ancestor died. If you’re unsure of the exact parish (especially as parish names and boundaries have changed over time), you can search across parishes and areas. Using the genealogy website of your choice, try searching by name, date and location and narrow down your search results from there.   

From the mid-19th century, many burials took place in municipal cemeteries. These were typically run by local councils, which often kept detailed registers. Cemetery records may include grave plot numbers, the name of the person who purchased the grave, and whether other family members are buried nearby. Thanks to digitisation projects led by family history websites like Findmypast, you can now search many cemetery records online.  

In addition to cemetery records, gravestones themselves are valuable historical sources for family history. In addition to names and dates, they often include heartfelt inscriptions and may list other family members in the same plot. Thanks to digitisation projects and new cemetery databases, you can now access many of these records and photographs online.  

If your ancestor served in the armed forces, they may be buried in a military cemetery or commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Their records include both wartime and post-war burials, often with details of service and next of kin.  

Search these records on a genealogy website using your ancestor’s name, rank, or regiment to locate their grave or memorial inscription.  

Obituaries and funeral notices in local newspapers often reveal burial details relevant to your family. They may name the cemetery, describe the funeral procession, or list family members who attended.  

Look out for phrases like ‘interred at’ and ‘laid to rest in’ when searching newspapers from the time of your ancestor’s death. Even if a grave no longer exists, a newspaper mention may be able to confirm the location for you.  

Once you’ve discovered where your ancestor is buried, you may be able to visit the site in person. If the grave is far away or no longer marked, this doesn’t have to stop you, as many cemeteries and churchyards are documented online through community history projects.  

Websites with grave photos, cemetery maps or 3D tours can give you a sense of place and help you to understand your ancestor’s final resting place from wherever you are.