Burial Authority

As Burial Authority for the area, the Town Council owns, manages and maintains Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, one of the largest cemeteries in Wales. The cemetery has been extended several times during its lifetime, and is currently over 55 acres. Plans are afoot to open up a further extension on land already owned by the Town Council which will provide much needed burial land for the next quarter of a century. The cemetery was opened during the 1880’s, and is managed by a dedicated team of staff comprising the cemetery foreman and six grave diggers/gardeners. Members of the public can visit during daylight hours seven days per week. One of the best features of the cemetery is the refurbished chapel, constructed in the 1890s. Works costing £100,000 were carried out and completed last year with the help of a loan facilitated by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Public Works Loans Board.

The Town Council is also responsible for two other burial grounds, Porthkerry Cemetery in Rhoose, and the Philadelphia Closed Churchyard in Paddock Place, Barry, which it inherited from Barry Borough Council following a previous local government reorganisation in 1974. Keys to the churchyard are kept in the Town Council offices. Members of the public are welcome to visit, subject to making an appointment in advance.

Tours of Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery

First World War Graves & Memorials
Second World War Merchant Navy Graves & Memorials

Guides kindly provided by The Friends of Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery