If you’re arranging a memorial for someone buried in Bulawayo, the first question isn’t which stone to choose. It’s which cemetery your loved one rests in, because the rules differ from one cemetery to the next. A design that’s allowed at Lady Stanley may be refused at Umvutsha, and a stone installed without the right council permit can be ordered removed.
We put this guide together because families ask us these questions every week, often from abroad, trying to arrange everything by phone and WhatsApp. Here is what you need to know about each of the city’s main cemeteries and the process for putting up a memorial. If you’re still deciding on a memorial, our page on tombstones in Bulawayo covers the designs and finishes we offer.
Bulawayo’s cemeteries at a glance
Bulawayo City Council runs several cemeteries and the West Park Crematorium. Most of the older ones no longer take new burials. They remain open for second interments, reserved graves and memorial installations, which is why families still need to know how each one works.
| Cemetery | Status | Memorial rules |
|---|---|---|
| Umvutsha (Umvutcha) | Main active cemetery since 2022 | Headstones only |
| Athlone West | Closed to new burials in 2022 | Headstones only |
| West Park | Closed to new burials in December 2018 | Check with the cemetery supervisor |
| Luveve | Still in use per council’s 2026 statements; Luveve 3 is a Pioneer cemetery | Depends on section |
| Lady Stanley | Pioneer cemetery | Older cemetery rules apply |
| Hyde Park | Pioneer cemetery | Older cemetery rules apply |
West Park Cemetery
For decades West Park was Bulawayo’s busiest cemetery, averaging around 15 burials a day before it was decommissioned in December 2018 after running out of space. Thousands of Bulawayo families have loved ones there, so it’s one of the cemeteries we’re asked about most. The West Park Crematorium is on the same site and is still operating.
Because West Park is large and many graves have been in place for years, families often come to us wanting to replace a temporary marker or a worn stone. Parts of the cemetery have had security problems, with metal grave markers stolen for scrap. That’s a practical reason to choose engraved granite over a metal plaque. Granite has no resale value to a thief and the lettering lasts for generations. You can see examples in our gallery.
Umvutsha Cemetery
Umvutsha, also spelled Umvutcha, is where most new burials in Bulawayo now take place. It opened when Athlone West filled up and was planned to hold around 45,000 graves.
The most important thing to know about Umvutsha is that only headstones are allowed. Full tombstones that cover the whole grave are not permitted. Council’s reason is maintenance: open grass between headstones can be cut by machine, while full slabs and large structures get in the way. In 2025 the council said it would demolish memorials that break this rule, so it is not a rule to test.
This doesn’t mean a memorial at Umvutsha has to be plain. A well-cut granite headstone with a portrait engraving, a verse and good lettering can be every bit as meaningful as a full monument. You can see our headstone options and prices, which start from $250, and the engraving and design services we offer.
Athlone West Cemetery
Athlone West opened in 2018 to replace West Park and filled its roughly 8,000 graves by January 2022. It’s now closed to new burials except second interments and reserved graves. Like Umvutsha, it is a headstones-only cemetery, and it was the first cemetery named when council introduced the rule.
Lady Stanley Cemetery
Lady Stanley is one of the city’s oldest and most historic cemeteries, and a designated Pioneer cemetery. It contains 49 Commonwealth war graves from the Second World War, and the Bulawayo African Memorial there honours 66 servicemen who died in that war.
Burial in a Pioneer cemetery is reserved for senior residents who meet council’s criteria. They must have been 65 or older at death, have lived in Bulawayo for at least 25 years, and have contributed to the community, with that contribution endorsed by the community. Memorials here follow the older-cemetery rules, which allow larger monuments within set dimensions.
Hyde Park and Luveve Cemeteries
Hyde Park and Luveve 3 are also Pioneer cemeteries. Luveve has several sections, including Old Luveve and Luveve Extension, and council listed Luveve as still operating in 2026. Both cemeteries have suffered from vandalism and overgrowth in recent years. If you’re arranging a memorial from outside Bulawayo, it’s worth having someone locate and photograph the grave before any work is planned.
Headstone or full tombstone: what’s allowed?
Council’s cemetery notice sets two limits. Headstones must not be more than 1 metre long, in both new and old cemeteries. In the older cemeteries, where full monuments are still allowed, a monument can cover up to 1.2 metres by 2.2 metres.
In practice, if your loved one was buried from 2018 onward at Athlone West or Umvutsha, plan for a headstone. If they’re in West Park, Lady Stanley, Hyde Park or one of the other older cemeteries, a full memorial may be possible. Our pricing guide covers both, from simple headstones to full family monuments. Confirm with the cemetery supervisor before any stone is cut.
How to get a tombstone permit in Bulawayo
Every memorial in a council cemetery needs approval and a paid permit before it goes in. The process set out by Bulawayo City Council works like this:
- Contact the cemetery supervisor with the details of the deceased. The supervisor checks the burial records and may inspect the grave.
- Complete the Tombstone Application form and collect a pro forma invoice for the fees.
- Pay at the Revenue Hall and keep your receipt.
- Take the receipt for authorisation at the Tower Block, 1st Floor.
- On installation day, present the permit and receipt to the cemetery supervisor, who oversees the work.
Installation is only allowed Monday to Friday, from 7am to noon, under the council’s latest rules, so plan delivery dates around that window. For general enquiries, the council call centre is on (09) 71290.
Arranging a memorial from outside Zimbabwe
Many of the families we work with live in the UK, South Africa and further afield, and can’t be in Bulawayo to deal with the council and the cemetery in person. If that’s you, the main things to sort out are finding the grave, confirming which rules apply to that cemetery, and making sure the permit is in place before installation. You can read more on ordering from the UK or from South Africa.
Burying a loved one outside Bulawayo? We also install memorials in Harare, Gweru and Victoria Falls.
Talk to us before you choose a design
Northern Granites has made memorials in Bulawayo since 1999, and we know how each cemetery handles installations. Tell us which cemetery your loved one is in, and we’ll recommend designs that fit its rules so there are no surprises on installation day. Request a quote or message us on WhatsApp.
