Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery is a community history and heritage group dedicated to caring for Leeds’ historic cemetery and preserving the stories of the people buried there. Opened in 1845 as the Leeds Burial Ground, Beckett Street Cemetery was created as a non-denominational burial place for the city’s growing population. Its landscaped grounds, monuments and headstones reflect the lives and history of Leeds across generations.

The Friends bring this history to life through cemetery research, genealogy resources and family stories. Their website offers searchable records and materials, including burial registers, burial cards, headstone information, census records, certificates, maps, photographs, videos and articles. Visitors can explore notable people, cemetery symbols, women’s stories and other subjects connected with the site. The group also shares news, events and publications, and invites members to search its database.

Alongside documenting history, the Friends encourage people to contribute information and images, support cemetery care, and help preserve memories for the future.