Oldham Council to remember those buried in unmarked graves with permanent memorials

Over the coming weeks, memorial plinths – each inscribed with a poignant verse – and benches where relatives and friends can sit peacefully with their thoughts, will be installed at council burial sites.

The council considered a range of options for the memorials.

The plinths and benches were chosen after conversations were held with several families, who have all requested privacy and confidentiality.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “The last few months must have been horrible for anyone who has discovered their relative was buried in an unmarked grave.

“Our thoughts and sympathies continue to go out to them.

“Sadly, the burying of people – including babies and children – in unmarked communal graves happened in cemeteries across the country for may years.

“Thankfully, this no longer happens, but it is wrong there was no acknowledgement of this in our cemeteries.

“Over the last few months, we have looked at a range of options for the memorials, including one in a central location. We’ve taken our time as we want to get it right.

“After listening to the views of the affected families we believe having somewhere discreet at each burial site, where people can sit down and quietly reflect and remember is the best way.

“Hopefully families affected by the insensitive practices of the past can now take some comfort knowing that soon there will be a place for them to come where their loss is acknowledged and remembered.”

Cemetery staff will put the first memorials in place over the coming weeks.

The council is continuing to provide support to direct relatives of those buried in an unmarked burial site and has set up a dedicated phone number for people to ring – 0161 770 7777 (then choose option 2).

Also, the Government sets national charges for anyone who has requested a death certificate including for someone buried in an unmarked communal grave.

We have taken the decision locally that we will no longer do this for unmarked communal graves and anyone who has been charged in the past twelve months can receive a refund by contacting out Registrars service.

Cllr Shah added: “It’s not right that someone should have to pay after going through such a traumatic time.

“Our staff are here to help, and I’d urge you to get in touch with us.”

More information on and contacts for our registrars’ team can be found here

Anyone who is looking to search for a deceased relative in one of Oldham’s cemeteries, including stillborn children, can visit this page on the council website

You will need to know the surname and approximate date of death.

Families can also find this information by contacting the Cemetery Office at Hollinwood on [email protected] where the records are held in written burial books.

The cemetery team have helped many families to find deceased relatives including stillborn babies.