Until the nineteenth century, the overwhelming majority of the population were buried in the parish churchyard. The Society of Friends (Quakers) maintained their own burial grounds but few other non-conformists did so. With the increase of population and the growth of large towns in the nineteenth century, the Church of England churchyards were no longer able to provide enough space and other provision had to be made. In the early part of the century many private cemeteries were opened by private act of parliament, but most cemeteries were opened under various Burial Acts from 1852 to 1906 and were run by local authorities, in most cases a burial board. Later acts allowed parish councils and district councils to take over the powers of the burial boards.
As many cemeteries opened in the latter part of the nineteenth century you will find many parish registers record few burials after that date. This is particularly noticeable in urban areas, but in a few cases burials may have continued in the churchyard until the present day. In most cases, registers of burials and registers of grave spaces in municipal and other cemeteries are still in the custody of either the district or the parish council by which they are run. Some of the records have been microfilmed and are made available in the Record Office. You will find a brief list of the cemetery and crematorium registers held in the Record Office on our website. If you are unable to find details of the cemetery/crematorium in which you are interested please contact us.
Chester-le-Street District Council’s cemetery records for Chester-le-Street, Lumley, Pelton and Sacriston are available to view online.
Spennymoor Town Council’s cemetery records for Spennymoor and Tudhoe are available to view online.
