Waikumete Cemetery

Waikumete Cemetery and Crematorium covers an area of 108 hectares and since 1908 has served as the main cemetery for the Auckland Region. It is the largest cemetery in New Zealand and one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Background

The Cemetery and Crematorium business unit encompasses:

• The Waikumete Cemetery and the smaller Swanson Cemetery
• The crematorium located at Waikumete
• Booking systems for services conducted in the Chapel and on the sites

Established in 1886, the cemetery provides for a wide range of denominational and cultural groups, and aims to offer a large number of alternative services to the bereaved. Waikumete is one of the largest cemeteries in the Southern Hemisphere and the final resting place for over 70,000 people. It also provides the largest open space environment for passive creation within Waitakere.

The cremators were installed in the 1950s and processes in excess of 600 cremations per year. The replacement of the cremators are currently under review.

Location and gate access

The Waikumete Cemetery is situated on Great North Road, Glen Eden, between Glenview and Awaroa Roads.

The main gates are on Great North Road with other gates situated at Awaroa Road, Glenview Road, Sunhill Estate and Waikumete Road.

Gates are opened at 7.30 am and closed at 6 pm (winter) and 8.30 pm (summer).

Waikumete Cemetery map

Office hours

The office is open between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, closed at weekends and Public Holidays.

For further information contact us during these hours.  Correspondence can be sent here.

Muslim and Jewish services

Waikumete Cemetery is the only cemetery in the Auckland Region to provide burial services for persons of the Jewish Faith, and one of two to provide for Muslim burials.

Cemetery walks

The Friends of Waikumete (Inc) host historical and themed walks in the cemetery on a regular basis. Walks are normally held on the first Sunday of each month, and further information regarding the walks can be obtained by phoning The Friends of Waikumete on (09) 817 6547 or (09) 818 4228.

Weedspraying

At intervals during the year weedspraying is undertaken in the cemetery grounds. All spraying is carried out by approved applicators. For further information regarding timing and the type of spray being used, please contact us.

Friends of Waikumete Inc.

This group was established some 10 years ago to promote Waikumete Cemetery as an historical site, to conduct walks throughout the cemetery and to maintain and promote the Wildflower Sanctuary situated in the area of the cemetery adjacent to the Chapel of Faith in the Oaks. The committee meet on a monthly basis and contact can be made by telephoning the Secretary on (09) 817 6547.

Decorations

In some parts of the cemetery, families are able to decorate graves. Permission to do this must be obtained from the Cemetery Office where the conditions regarding what can and can not be placed on graves will be explained.