About Madras Cemeteries Board Trust
Historical Background
The Madras Cemeteries Board was established under the British administration in Madras to manage the growing need for regulated Christian burial grounds as the city expanded. In 1903, the Board opened the Kilpauk Old Cemetery on about 16 acres (often cited as around 6.5 hectares in some sources) and simultaneously established the Quibble Island Cemetery (now commonly referred to as the MRC Nagar Cemetery) on a 6.5-hectare site formed by the Adyar River and its tributaries.
These cemeteries became the primary burial grounds for Christians in Madras, serving diverse communities including Protestants of all denominations and Roman Catholics, reflecting an ecumenical approach to burial space. Over the decades, the cemeteries accumulated tens of thousands of graves; the Kilpauk Old Cemetery alone is reported to hold nearly 50,000 graves, making it one of the largest Christian cemeteries in Tamil Nadu.
With the transition from British rule to independent India, the Board’s functions were gradually restructured, and the organization came to operate as a Trust under Tamil Nadu’s trust and charitable regulations, continuing its core mission of cemetery management and bereavement support.
Mission and Vision
Mission
The mission of the Madras Cemeteries Board Trust is to:
- Provide dignified, orderly, and spiritually respectful burial services to Christian families in Chennai.
- Maintain and preserve the cemeteries under its care as peaceful, clean, and well-managed spaces for mourning, remembrance, and reflection.
- Protect and document the historical records, tomb inscriptions, and monuments that form part of Madras’s colonial and post-colonial heritage.
- Support bereaved families with compassion, clarity, and reliability in all funeral and burial arrangements.
Vision
The Trust envisages:
- Cemeteries that remain safe, serene, and accessible for generations to come.
- A balanced approach between honoring historic graves and meeting the practical needs of contemporary burial demand.
- Strong cooperation with church bodies, community groups, and government authorities to ensure sustainable cemetery management.
- Preservation of the cemeteries as living archives of Chennai’s Christian community history.
Services
The Madras Cemeteries Board Trust provides a range of services to families and the community:
Burial Arrangements
Coordination of plot allocation, burial scheduling, and necessary permissions for interments in cemeteries under its management.
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Cemetery Maintenance
Regular cleaning, landscaping, fencing, drainage, and upkeep of paths and common areas to ensure a peaceful environment.
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Grave Restoration and Repair
Guidance and support for families wishing to repair or restore damaged tombs, with adherence to cemetery regulations.
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Historical Record Keeping
Maintenance of burial registers, inscription records, and maps of grave locations, helping families trace ancestors and document family history.
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Support to Bereaved Families
Assistance in navigating burial procedures, church coordination, and logistical arrangements, aiming to reduce the burden on grieving families.
Learn MoreTestimonials
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Saul Goodman
Ceo & Founder
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Sara Wilsson
Designer
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Jena Karlis
Store Owner
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Matt Brandon
Freelancer
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John Larson
Entrepreneur
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Portfolio
Some of our photo glimses
Cemeteries Under Management
The Trust currently manages several major Christian cemeteries in Chennai, including:
Active
Kilpauk Old Cemetery300/88, Kilpauk Garden Road, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010, Tamil Nadu, India
- one of the oldest and largest Christian cemeteries in Tamil Nadu
- opened in 1903
- spread over approximately 16 acres (sources vary, some cite around 6.5 hectares)
- contains nearly 50,000 graves
- partially closed for new burials since April 2005 due to space constraints; multi-tier vault systems have been explored to maximize remaining space.
In Active
Quibble Island Cemetery(MRC Nagar Cemetery)
- formed in 1903 on a river island in the Adyar estuary
- occupies about 6.5 hectares
- shared by Roman Catholics and Protestants of all denominations
- contains old tombstones from the latter half of the 1800s and notable graves, including those of comedian-actor Chandrababu and political speaker Valampuri John.
Active
Kasimedu Cemetery16/18, Surya Narayana St, Kasimedu, Royapuram, Chennai – 600013
- another British-era cemetery managed by the Trust
- historically significant for the northern parts of Chennai
- has around 5,000 graves at recent counts, with space expected to last only one to two years without additional land allocation.
Contact
For inquiries regarding burial arrangements, grave locations, historical records, or general information:
Address
Kilpauk
A108 Adam Street, New York, NY 535022
Kasimedu
16/18, Surya Narayana St, Kasimedu, Royapuram, Chennai – 600013
Call
+91 44 2663 1506
info@example.com