Cemeteries

The City of Portage maintains four municipal cemeteries:

• Central Cemetery - 7719 South Westnedge Avenue
• Dry Prairie Cemetery - 1705 West Milham Avenue
• Indian Fields Cemetery - 2023 East Milham Avenue
• South Cemetery - 10401 South Westnedge Avenue

Interment and perpetual care are provided through the Department of Public Works. Cemetery services are provided throughout the year. The oldest cemeteries are Indian Fields and Dry Prairie, containing grave markers dating back to the early 1800s. Today the only active cemeteries are Central and South Cemeteries.

NEW!  South Cemetery's Columbarium

Beginning in 2026, a columbarium burial structure is now available at South Cemetery.  Columbarium burials offer an above-ground, less expensive, yet permanent option for the interment of cremated remains.  The center, circular columbarium offers 64 single interment niches, while the outer four “walls” offer 192 double interment niches.

Purchasing a Plot

If you are interested in purchasing a plot, please call the Office of the City Clerk at (269) 329-4511 and staff will arrange an appointment for you to visit a cemetery to make a selection. View the City of Portage Cemetery Fees for burial rights and grave opening/closing fees.  A cemetery plot may be reserved for up to six months prior to purchase.

Grave Openings

Grave openings may take place during the times listed below. Call the Office of the City Clerk to schedule (269) 329-4511.

• Monday | First Day After a Holiday: 1 - 3 PM
• Tuesday - Friday: 8 AM - 3 PM
• Saturday: 8 AM - 2 PM

Monument Foundations

The City of Portage does not provide or sell grave markers or monuments but is responsible for pouring the required foundation prior to placement. Foundations must include a one-inch apron on all four sides and are priced at $0.90 per square inch. To request a monument foundation, submit a Monument Foundation Request Form (PDF). 

Foundations are poured twice per year, once in the spring prior to Memorial Day and once in the fall after Labor Day. Payment must be made by check payable to the City of Portage. The City of Portage reserves the right to remove any monument or marker that falls into disrepair or becomes unsightly or unsafe after providing 30 days’ notice to the certificate holder.

Plants

Annual flowers should be planted within 12" of the memorial and not extend past lot boundaries when in full bloom. Flowers may be placed in upright or flush marker sections. Flowers in flush marker sections may only be displayed April - September. 

Artificial flowers may be placed the same as regular flowers in upright memorial sections and must be removed at the end of the normal growing season. Artificial decorations may be displayed in all sections October - March. No artificial flowers are permitted in flush memorial sections April - September. 

Perennial flowers may be planted in urns or vases on either side or directly behind upright memorials within lot boundaries. 

Trees, shrubs, and bushes may not be planted in the cemetery except in areas approved by the Department of Public Works. 

Cemetery Record Lookup Tool

Access the Cemetery Record Lookup database
Search "Cemetery Management" by "Name" to search for cemetery record information.

Access the Cemetery Plot Map lookup tool
Select "Grave Search" and search by "Occupant Name" to search for a specific interment/plot location.

If you require further assistance using the tool or can't find the information you are looking for, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (269) 329-4511. This database is updated daily so that the most current information is available. 

Disclaimer: The information contained in the above links is taken from the records of the City of Portage. The City of Portage does not guarantee the accuracy of the information nor assumes any responsibility for errors that arise from the use of the information.