Gisborne District Council maintains 13 gazetted public cemeteries occupying 51ha. It operates a number of serviced, un-serviced and closed cemeteries throughout the district.
Makaraka - Gisborne's earliest cemetery is now closed, but is maintained as a historic cemetery site.
Taruheru, Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay and Patutahi are fully maintained to a high standard.
Te Araroa, Matahiia, Ruatoria, Te Puia, Rakaroa, Ormond and Motu are maintained to a lesser standard, and fees are set accordingly.
Maps are available for locating the cemeteries above, and copies can be obtained by visiting Council at it's Fitzherbert St offices.
Many people are interested in historical records for genealogical and historical research. Burial registers are available for inspection at:
- Gisborne District Council offices in Fitzherbert St have burial registers for all cemeteries.
- HB Williams Memorial library holds copies of burial registers for the Makaraka Cemetery (1877 - 1981) and for the Taruheru cemetery 1915 - 1979.
- Taruheru Cemetery The sextons are more than willing to help with burial details for the Taruheru cemetery.
Council undertook cremations itself up until March 1998 and has records for these. Since then, cremations have been perfomed by Evans Funeral Services who are also keeping cremation records. However, if the ashes are then buried, Council will have records of the burial.
For further information, please contact the Council.