Work to expand Thorntree Cemetery in Middlesbrough began on 26 May, a £2.388 million project that will provide around 2,310 extra burial plots. The scheme aims to head off a looming shortage after council executives warned the town’s cemeteries could run out of space by spring 2026. A 16‑week construction programme is now under way, featuring new drainage, gates, a revised road layout, paths and parking areas, with the cemetery due to be fully ready by autumn.
The expansion has been designed to respect existing graves and memorials, none of which will be disturbed. While the cemetery remains open throughout, visitors should expect some areas to be closed off at times, and funeral services will continue with work halted as necessary. Cllr Peter Gavigan, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, said the council was keenly aware of the need to carry out the works sensitively, especially for families visiting their loved ones.
The pressure on burial space has been building for years. Thorntree alone recorded 224 burials in 2024, and the nearby Thorntree Roman Catholic Cemetery on Cargo Fleet Lane is already full, leaving no room for new graves. Council assessments had flagged that without intervention, all municipal burial space could be exhausted by spring 2026. The 2,310 new plots are expected to provide between five and ten years of capacity, depending on demand. Full details of the improvement works are available on the Middlesbrough Council website.
Looking further ahead, the council has acknowledged that expanding Thorntree alone will not be a permanent fix. Feasibility studies are being explored for additional capacity at Acklam Cemetery. In the meantime, bereaved families or anyone with questions about access during the building phase can contact the council’s Bereavement Services team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01642 817725.
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