Renfrewshire Council

You can choose from the following topics of information:

• Cemetery charges
• Woodland burial site at Lochwinnoch Cemetery
• Crematorium
• War memorials
• Arranging a headstone
• Arranging burials
• Pre-purchase of lairs
• Change of details/transfer of title deeds
• Checking cemetery records

We provide a burial service and maintains nine cemeteries within Renfrewshire. 

The cemeteries are open to visitors from early in the morning until sunset, seven days a week.

Cemetery charges 

Please visit the "Cemeteries" link on our Fees and Charges webpage.

Woodland burial site at Lochwinnoch Cemetery

Our woodland burial site at Lochwinnoch cemetery offers a return to nature for those who wish to be buried with trees and among birds, mammals and wild flowers. 

Positioned at an informal setting sloping down to the River Calder, it is not an area for those who wish a burial in a formal layout with regularly maintained grass. The area will be managed for the benefit and development of trees and wildlife.

Each lair will hold one burial. An adjacent lair can be purchased in reserve where family members wish to be buried together. These lairs cost the same price as conventional lairs.

No memorials are allowed. Instead of a memorial, a tree is planted to identify the lair. Planting of indigenous tree species will normally take place over the dormant season (November to March). There are also two small commemorative walls at the entrance to the woodland burial site where lairholders can arrange the placing of name plaques and messages.

While we prefer the use of environmentally-friendly coffins such as cardboard or wicker, we do not exclude burials in traditionally-made coffins.

Crematorium

Woodside Cemetery and Crematorium is a privately run business. Enquiries to: 0141 889 2260.

War memorials

We are responsible for the maintenance of numerous war memorials in the towns and villages of Renfrewshire. 

With the exception of those memorials located within cemeteries, most can be visited at any time. 

A memorial to the Victoria Cross medal winners from the Renfrewshire area was unveiled on 26 June 2007 in Hawkhead Cemetery.

Main war memorial locations

• Hairst street, Renfrew
• Bowfield Road, Howwood
• Bishopton Road, Houston
• Houston Square, Johnstone
• The Cross, Kilbarchan
• Abbey Cemetery, Elderslie
• Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir
• Harvey Square, Lochwinnoch
• Hawkhead Cemetery, Paisley
• Paisley Cross, Paisley

Arranging a headstone

Lairholders are entitled to have a memorial erected at their lair. Normally, monumental masons submit a memorial application to the council on behalf of the lairholder. The monumental mason can then proceed with the installation of the memorial. Certain styles of memorials may not require a foundation.

For further information please use our contact details at the bottom of this page. The lairholder remains responsible for all future maintenance of the memorial.

Arranging burials

If arranging a funeral through an undertaker, the undertaker will contact our office on your behalf to provide the information we require for the burial. 

If you wish to select the lair for the burial, your undertaker can arrange an appointment with our office.

Some interments such as cremated remains can be arranged privately.

Pre-purchase of lairs

Lairs can be pre-purchased without a burial taking place. 

You can arrange the purchase of a lair by using the contact details at the bottom of this page. 

If you wish to select a lair, an appointment will be made for an officer to meet you at the cemetery. Alternatively, if you do not wish to visit the cemetery, we will be happy to allocate you a lair on a 'next available' basis. 

Change of details/transfer of title deeds

In order to maintain accurate records, it is important lairholders or other family members advise our office of any changes in lairholder name, address, etc. 

Upon the death of the lairholder, the lair should be transferred to maintain a point of contact for any issues which may arise regarding the lair or memorial.

Checking cemetery records

The records for all our cemeteries are held at the cemetery office in Renfrewshire House. 

Depending on the accuracy of the information you provide and the volume requested we may be able to provide this free of charge, however, there may be a charge for this service. Please visit the Cemeteries link on our Fees and Charges webpage.

If you want to find out where someone is buried, you should use the contact details below.