Burial Grounds

There are approximately 240 burial grounds in County Limerick of which approximately 70 are actively used. There are a number of different types of burial grounds including Catholic, Jewish, Church of Ireland, Quaker, Famine and Infant burial grounds. Burial grounds in the County are operated and maintained by Limerick County Council’s Water Services Department through the four Area Offices and also by local parishes and community groups some of whom are assisted with small annual maintenance grants by the Council. New burial grounds and extensions to existing ones are provided by Limerick County Council and local communities.

The Council encourages the work of the local burial ground committees by means of a grant each year. Over 110 groups who look after 169 burial ground received the grant in 2008.

In 2009, Burial Ground Bye Laws were adopted by the Council and brought into operation.

These Bye Laws are to act as a support mechanism for caretakers and others involved in the proper management of a burial ground, providing them with a modern support code to regulate the use of their burial ground and to educate all with the different traditions of the multi cultural society in which we now live, regarding burial of their deceased. These Bye Laws also aim to provide clarity around the erection of monuments and management of burial grounds.

Download a copy of  Burial Ground Bye Laws.

Applications forms for the purchase of gravespaces and erection of headstones can be found on water services application forms page.