South Africa Burials

Every record will include a transcript with some of the details from the original record. Most of the transcripts will include:

• Name
• Sex
• Age
• Birth year
• Death year
• Burial year
• Place
• Province

The amount of detail in the transcripts is limited. We always recommend that you view the original record when it is available, which will provide you with even more vital information about your ancestor.

This collection of records was created by Family Search. The burial records originated in Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Transvaal, and Free State and document burials from 1818 to 1981. The original records are written in Dutch or Afrikaans depending on the time that the record was created. Afrikaans replaced Dutch as the official language in 1961.

The tapestry of South Africa's history unfolds through epochs defined by indigenous cultures, European colonisation, and the struggle against apartheid. The Khoisan and Bantu communities thrived prior to Dutch and British influences in the 17th century. Apartheid, a dark chapter in the 20th century, institutionalized racial segregation until global pressure and Nelson Mandela's release in 1990 marked its demise. The transition to democracy ushered in a new era, but challenges persisted in reconciling the nation, addressing economic disparities, and navigating social changes.