Choosing where to bury a loved one is one of the most significant decisions a family will face. For many, the location carries as much meaning as the service itself. Whether the priority is proximity to family, a specific religious tradition, an environmentally conscious approach, or simply a peaceful setting for ongoing remembrance, Doncaster offers a range of options.

The City of Doncaster Council manages one crematorium and thirteen cemeteries across the borough, ranging from large municipal sites with dedicated faith sections to smaller community burial grounds. Beyond the council’s provision, there are also natural and woodland burial options for those looking for a greener alternative. This guide covers everything families need to know about where a burial can take place in Doncaster, what each site offers, and how to choose the right setting.

Doncaster’s Council-Managed Cemeteries

The City of Doncaster Council’s Bereavement Services is responsible for one crematorium, thirteen cemeteries, and the maintenance of twelve closed churchyards across the borough. All enquiries are coordinated through Rose Hill Crematorium, Cantley Lane, Doncaster, DN4 6NE. A full list of sites and burial options is available directly from Doncaster Council’s Bereavement Services.

The council’s cemeteries accept a wide variety of coffin types, including wood, metal, wicker, and cardboard. Burials in shrouds are also permitted. Headstones are permitted at the head of each grave, and families may also place up to two vases made of natural stone or metal. Garden graves, where annual flowers can be planted in the grave space, are also available.

When a right of burial is purchased, a grave deed is issued for a period not exceeding 100 years. The ground itself remains in the ownership of the council. Notice of interment must be submitted at least 72 hours before the burial. Families can download the Exclusive Right of Burial form directly from the Doncaster Council burial information page.

The Main Burial Sites in Doncaster

Rose Hill Cemetery, Cantley

Rose Hill Cemetery on Ascot Avenue, Cantley (DN4 6HE) is the borough’s principal cemetery and the site of the only crematorium in Doncaster. As the largest and most comprehensively equipped site, it holds dedicated sections for Church of England, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, and Greek Orthodox burials, making it the most faith-diverse burial ground in the borough.

Rose Hill is also the only Doncaster cemetery to offer a mausoleum facility. The mausoleum, set in a quiet and treed area of the grounds, provides front and side interment positions as well as burial chambers capable of accommodating either above or below ground interment. Each chamber can accept up to two interments and is sealed with slabs once occupied.

Rose Hill also contains a dedicated section for woodland and meadowland burials (covered below) and a children’s section. For families who opt for cremation, a range of cremated remains burial plots is available within the cemetery grounds with rights of burial offered over 30, 50, or 75 year periods. 

Hyde Park Cemetery, Carr Lane

Hyde Park Cemetery on Carr Lane (DN4 5AA) is one of the oldest municipal cemeteries outside of London. Designed by architect Robert James Johnson and opened in January 1856, it was one of the first cemeteries established following the Burial Act of 1853, which allowed local authorities to create alternatives to overcrowded parish churchyards.

More than 56,000 people are buried at Hyde Park, and the site contains 108 Commonwealth War Graves including 82 casualties from the First World War. The cemetery is also the resting place of several notable local figures. It is maintained as a site of historic and architectural significance, with a listed Victorian chapel at its centre. 

It is important to note that Hyde Park Cemetery is now closed to new graves. Burials can still occasionally take place in existing family plots, but no new graves are available for purchase. Families wishing to be buried near family members already interred at Hyde Park should contact Doncaster Bereavement Services to confirm availability.

Arksey Cemetery, Station Road

Arksey Cemetery on Station Road, Arksey (DN5 0SD) serves the northern areas of the Doncaster borough. Like Rose Hill, it includes dedicated sections for Church of England and Roman Catholic burials. The adjacent Arksey Old Cemetery is limited to re-opened graves only, with no new grave spaces available.

Redhouse Cemetery, Adwick-Le-Street

Redhouse Cemetery on Redhouse Lane, Adwick-Le-Street (DN6 7EA) is another of the council’s faith-sectioned sites, with dedicated areas for Church of England and Roman Catholic burials. It serves families in the northern part of the borough and the communities around Adwick and Woodlands.

Mexborough Cemetery

Mexborough Cemetery on Cemetery Road, Mexborough (S64 9PN) is one of two council cemeteries that includes a chapel on site (the other being Rose Hill). It also has a designated children’s section, providing a dedicated space for families who have experienced the loss of a young child. The cemetery serves communities in the Mexborough and Conisbrough areas.

Conisbrough Cemetery, Sheffield Road

Conisbrough Cemetery on Sheffield Road, Conisbrough (DN12 2AU) serves one of Doncaster’s oldest and most historically significant communities, within reach of the Norman Conisbrough Castle. It is a well-maintained site suitable for families in the wider Conisbrough and Denaby areas.

Askern Cemetery, Campsall Road

Askern Cemetery on Campsall Road, Askern (DN6 0BZ) serves the northern town of Askern and surrounding villages. It is one of the more rural sites in the council’s network and provides a quiet setting for families in the northern reaches of the borough.

Rossington, Warmsworth, Windmill Balk, and Denaby Cemeteries

The council also manages four further community cemeteries serving specific areas of the borough:

• Rossington Cemetery, Wadworth Lane, Rossington (DN11 0LA), serving the south of the borough.
• Warmsworth Cemetery, Guest Lane, Warmsworth (DN4 9NX), serving the western villages.
• Windmill Balk Cemetery, Windmill Balk Lane, Woodlands (DN6 7SE), serving the Woodlands and Adwick area.
• Denaby Cemetery, Tickhill Square, Denaby (DN12 4AW), serving communities near Mexborough and Conisbrough.

Faith-Based and Denominational Burial Sections

For families whose religious tradition requires burial in a specific faith section, the most comprehensive option in Doncaster is Rose Hill Cemetery, which holds individual sections for Church of England, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, and Greek Orthodox burials. Arksey and Redhouse cemeteries provide Church of England and Roman Catholic sections.

Families with specific faith requirements, whether for orientation of the grave, the depth of burial, the type of coffin permitted, or the involvement of a religious officiant, should communicate these needs clearly to the funeral directors in Doncaster when making the booking. The 72-hour notice requirement applies to all burials regardless of faith tradition.

Woodland and Meadowland Burial at Rose Hill

For families seeking a more natural and environmentally sensitive option within a council-managed cemetery, Rose Hill Cemetery includes a dedicated woodland and meadowland burial area. This section is set in an established, secluded area of the grounds away from the traditional burial sections and is maintained in a way that encourages trees, wildflowers, and local wildlife. The grass is cut infrequently to allow wildflowers to seed naturally. Biodegradable coffins are preferred in this area, and no traditional memorials or tributes are permitted. Each grave is recorded on a plan and can be dug for up to three interments. Full details of this option are published on the Doncaster Council woodland burial page.

The Meadow Cemetery, Owston: A Natural Burial Ground Near Doncaster

Beyond the council’s own provision, the Meadow Cemetery in Owston, Doncaster, is one of South Yorkshire’s most highly regarded independent natural burial sites. Operating as a natural burial ground since 2010, the site is set amidst wildflower meadows and native woodland next to Lady Wood and the historic village of Owston. Hundreds of native trees and shrubs were planted at its establishment, and a wildlife pond has been incorporated into the grounds. The site accepts only biodegradable coffins, does not permit embalming, and is open to families of all faiths. Only one interment takes place each day, ensuring families are never hurried. 

Churchyard Burials and Closed Sites

The Church of England maintains a number of historic churchyards across the Doncaster borough, some of which remain open to parishioners. These are managed separately from the council’s cemetery network. Whether a churchyard burial is available depends on whether the deceased was a member of that particular parish and whether the churchyard has remaining space.

The council also maintains twelve closed churchyards, where no new burials take place. These are preserved historic sites. Families with relatives already interred in these locations should contact Doncaster Bereavement Services for guidance.

The closed churchyards maintained by the council include St Nicholas in Thorne, Christ Church on Thorne Road, St Michaels in Rossington, St Mary’s in Tickhill, St Nicholas in Bawtry, St Leonard and St Mary’s in Armthorpe, St Peter’s in Barnburgh, and All Saints in Owston, among others.

Interment of Cremated Remains in Doncaster

For families who choose cremation, whether at Rose Hill Crematorium or elsewhere, there are several options for the interment of cremated remains within the borough’s cemeteries. Cremated remains can be buried in any of the council’s cemeteries in a purchased grave space, with exclusive rights of burial available for periods of 30, 50, or 75 years depending on the plot type.

Rose Hill Cemetery offers above-ground niche positions in individual vaults or columns at all council cemeteries except Hyde Park. Cremated remains can also be interred in the woodland and meadowland section of Rose Hill, using biodegradable caskets. A range of memorial options, including flat stones and wedge-type memorials, is available depending on the plot chosen.

Let Gooding Funeral Services Guide You

Doncaster offers a thoughtful range of burial options, from large municipal cemeteries with dedicated faith sections to natural woodland settings at the edge of the borough. Whether you are planning ahead or have just lost someone, understanding these choices is an important part of making a decision that truly honours a life.

Gooding Funeral Services are independent, family-owned funeral directors in UK serving families across Doncaster and the wider Yorkshire region. Endorsed by the Good Funeral Guide and the Natural Death Centre, and proud members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), Gooding brings compassionate guidance and professional expertise to every family they support.

Their team has deep experience in coordinating burials across Doncaster’s council cemeteries, natural burial sites, and faith-specific sections, as well as in culturally sensitive services for Hindu, Sikh, Caribbean, Christian, and other communities. They are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and offer clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees.

If you need guidance on burial options in Doncaster, or are ready to begin making arrangements, contact Gooding Funeral Services today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book a burial at a Doncaster council cemetery?

All burial bookings in the council-managed cemeteries are coordinated through Doncaster Bereavement Services at Rose Hill Crematorium, Cantley Lane, Doncaster, DN4 6NE. The telephone number is 01302 736900 and the email is cems@doncaster.gov.uk. Notice of interment must be submitted at least 72 hours before the burial date.

Which Doncaster cemetery has Muslim, Jewish, or Greek Orthodox burial sections?

Rose Hill Cemetery in Cantley is the only council-managed cemetery in the borough with dedicated sections for Muslim, Jewish, and Greek Orthodox burials, in addition to Church of England and Roman Catholic sections. It is the recommended starting point for families with specific faith burial requirements.

Is Hyde Park Cemetery still open for burials?

Hyde Park Cemetery is no longer open for new grave purchases. Burials can still occasionally take place in existing family plots where the exclusive right of burial is held. Families who wish to inter a loved one in an existing plot at Hyde Park should contact Doncaster Bereavement Services directly to confirm current availability.

What coffins are permitted in Doncaster cemeteries?

Doncaster council cemeteries permit coffins made of wood, metal, wicker, and cardboard. Burials in shrouds are also permitted. For woodland and meadowland burials at Rose Hill, and at natural burial sites such as the Meadow Cemetery in Owston, biodegradable coffins are preferred and in some cases required.

Can I have a natural or woodland burial in Doncaster?

Yes. Rose Hill Cemetery has a dedicated woodland and meadowland burial section within its grounds. The Meadow Cemetery at Owston is an independent natural burial site near Doncaster that accepts all faiths and conducts one burial per day in a wildflower meadow setting. Both options allow the use of biodegradable coffins and are maintained as natural environments rather than formal cemetery grounds.

How long does the exclusive right of burial last?

The right of burial in a new grave at a Doncaster council cemetery can be purchased for a period not exceeding 100 years. For cremated remains plots, rights are available over 30, 50, or 75 year periods depending on the plot type selected. The ground itself remains in the ownership of the council throughout. A grave deed is issued to the purchaser confirming the exclusive right.

Can I pre-purchase a burial plot in Doncaster?

Yes. Families can pre-purchase the exclusive right of burial in a grave space before it is needed. This allows families to secure a specific location or section of their choice. Contact Doncaster Bereavement Services at cems@doncaster.gov.uk or call 01302 736900 to discuss pre-purchase options.