Finding a grave when you don't know the plot number

← All guides

It's a common situation. A burial was arranged many years ago, the paperwork was kept by a parent, grandparent or aunt, and after decades of house moves, it disappeared.

Now you'd like to visit the grave, arrange some maintenance or simply find out where a relative was laid to rest, but you have no plot number and no idea where to start.

Please don't feel embarrassed. Many families are in the same position, and in most cases, the grave can still be found.

What records does the cemetery keep?

Municipal cemeteries keep a record of every burial that takes place.

The cemetery office will usually have a burial register showing the name of the person, the date of burial and the location of the grave. They will also have a plan of the cemetery divided into sections and numbered plots.

Even when a burial took place in the 1930s or earlier, the original record will often still be available.

So, you don't necessarily need the plot number. You simply need enough information to help the cemetery staff locate the correct entry.

What information should you gather?

The more details you can provide, the easier the search will be. It may also reduce the cost if the cemetery charges for staff time.

Try to gather:

• The person's full name
• Their maiden name, if applicable
• Any alternative spellings of the name
• The date of death, or at least the year
• Their approximate age when they died
• The name of the cemetery, if known
• The area of Cardiff where the family lived
• The names of anyone else who may be buried in the same grave

The date of death is usually the most useful detail. An approximate age can also help cemetery staff separate people who shared the same name.

Family graves often contain more than one person, so the name of a spouse, parent or child may help confirm the correct plot.

If you don't know the date of death, you may be able to order a death certificate from the General Register Office. Free genealogy websites and online burial records can also help narrow the search.

Will the cemetery charge for a search?

Some cemeteries provide record searches free of charge, while others ask for an administration fee.

These fees cover the time needed to check registers, plans and older records. The amount varies between cemeteries and local authorities, and in some cases it can be around £70. Our guide on cemetery record search fees in South Wales sets out what each council charges.

The amount of work involved will usually affect the cost. A burial from 1995 with a full name and an exact date may be found quickly. A burial from 1928 with only a surname could take much longer.

Which cemetery is most likely?

When the cemetery is unknown, the family's home address is often the best place to begin.

Cardiff's larger municipal cemeteries include Thornhill Cemetery, Cathays Cemetery, Western Cemetery and Pantmawr Cemetery. There are also many parish churchyards in and around Cardiff, and Glyntaff Crematorium is located just north of the city in Pontypridd.

In the past, families were often buried close to their home, church or chapel. Knowing the neighbourhood where they lived can make the search much easier.

It's also possible that the person was cremated rather than buried. In that case, there may be a memorial plaque, an entry in a book of remembrance or ashes placed in a garden of remembrance instead of a traditional grave.

Searching from overseas

Trying to locate a grave from another country can be frustrating.

Most cemetery offices accept enquiries by email or phone, but time differences can make calls difficult, and email responses may take time. In some situations, the office may also ask for proof of your relationship to the person who died.

Having someone local make the enquiry can often speed things up. A person who visits the cemetery office with the correct details may be able to resolve the search much faster than someone relying on email alone. Once the plot has been found, they can also visit the grave and take photographs for you.

What should you do after finding the grave?

Write down the full location and keep it somewhere safe. Include the cemetery name, the section, and the plot or grave number.

Share the details with other family members too. That way, the information won't be lost again.

If the grave hasn't been visited or cared for in some time, it may also be helpful to check its condition before arranging any work. Stone can weather, lettering can fade and kerbs can move over time. Even so, careful cleaning and maintenance can often make a noticeable difference.