Undas 2026 in Manila: Grave finders, visiting hours, traffic advisories

MANILA, Philippines—As Undas approaches, large crowds are expected at two of Metro Manila’s major cemeteries, Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery. Visitors are advised to plan their trips ahead, including by using the cemeteries’ online grave finders and interactive maps to locate their departed loved ones’ burial sites before arriving.

The two cemeteries have separate online tools for searching burial records and locating graves on a map. Manila North Cemetery’s website allows users to search for a deceased relative by name and view the grave’s location, while Manila South Cemetery’s new website features an interactive map that can guide visitors to burial sites and an emergency assistance function for those who need help inside the grounds.

Manila North Cemetery Director Daniel C. Tan expects around 2 million visitors throughout the Undas period, particularly from Friday through Monday.

“Sa Undas, inaasahan namin itong whole week na ‘to, more or less makaka-two million po tayo dahil nataon po na Friday, Saturday, at saka Monday, talagang dadagsain tayo,” Tan said in an interview with GMA News’ “Unang Balita” on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

In a radio interview, Manila South Cemetery Director John Mark G. Mendez also projected that the cemetery could receive between 700,000 and 1 million visitors this year, compared with 500,000 in 2025.

Here’s what visitors need to know about using the online grave finders, checking visiting schedules and prohibited items, navigating traffic advisories, and planning their Undas visits to Manila North and Manila South cemeteries.

Manila North Cemetery: How to find a grave online

Visitors looking for a relative’s burial site can use Manila North Cemetery’s online memorial search tool before heading to the cemetery.

Screenshot: Manila North Cemetery website

Step 1: Visit the Manila North Cemetery website

Go to manilanorthcemetery.ph.

The homepage features information about the cemetery’s history, architecture and heritage, along with a gallery of photos taken within its grounds. Its contact details, including the office and email addresses, and a link to its official Facebook page can be found near the bottom of the page.

Visitors who need assistance can also click the “Need Help? Live Chat” button in the lower-right corner. This redirects them to the cemetery’s Visitor Assistance page, where they can fill out a form to submit an inquiry, report an issue or request emergency assistance.

Screenshot: Manila North Cemetery website

Step 2: Click “Search”

Look for the Home, Map and Search options in the upper-right corner of the website.

Click Search to open the “Memorial Search” page, where you can look up your departed loved one’s burial record. To see the cemetery’s layout and numbered sections, click Map instead.

Step 3: Enter your loved one’s name

On the “Memorial Search” page, type the name of the person you are looking for in the search bar. The tool requires at least three characters to search its records.

If no matching record appears, check the spelling or try searching with another part of the person’s name.

Step 4: Check the search results

The results show the deceased person’s name, date of death, grave section, lot number and grave number.

Check these details carefully to make sure you have the correct record, especially if the search returns people with the same or similar names.

Step 5: Click “View on Map”

Once you have identified the correct record, click View on Map below the burial details.

Screenshot: Manila North Cemetery website

A new page will display the memorial information again, along with a cemetery map highlighting the grave’s location. Use the map and the section, lot and grave numbers to help you find the burial site when you arrive.

Step 6: Save the details for your visit

Before leaving home, take a screenshot of the search results and map, or save the burial details on your phone so you can refer to them inside the cemetery.

Still unable to find your loved one’s record? Double-check the spelling or use the contact details on the website to inquire with cemetery personnel.

Manila North Cemetery: Visiting hours and restrictions

Manila North Cemetery will be open to visitors from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, according to its Undas 2026 advisory. Regular cemetery operations are scheduled to resume Nov. 3.

The deadline for cleaning, repairing and repainting graves was Oct. 27, while Oct. 28 is the last day for burials before services resume Nov. 3.

Visitors should also note that no vehicles will be allowed inside the cemetery from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.

What is prohibited inside Manila North Cemetery?

The cemetery has barred visitors from bringing the following items:

• Firearms and sharp objects, including knives, cutters and spatulas
• Alcoholic beverages and other intoxicating drinks
• Pets
• Guitars, loudspeakers and sound systems
• Flammable materials, including alcohol and paint thinner
• Gambling materials

Visitors are advised to check their belongings before leaving home and follow the instructions of cemetery personnel and security officers.

Road closures, rerouting and parking areas

Motorists heading to Manila North Cemetery should expect road closures around the area during the Undas period.

According to the Manila Public Information Office’s traffic advisory, as reported by Radyo Pilipinas, the closures will run from 10 p.m. Oct. 30 until 7 p.m. Nov. 3.

The following roads and road sections will be affected:

• Blumentritt Street, from A. Bonifacio Avenue to Aurora Boulevard
• Dimasalang Street, from Retiro Street to Calavite Street
• Maceda Street, from Makiling Street to Dimasalang Street
• The northbound lane of Dimasalang Bridge
• Aurora Boulevard at Leonor Rivera Street
• Blumentritt Road at Leonor Rivera Street

The traffic advisory also identifies three streets as designated parking areas for cemetery visitors:

• P. Guevarra Street, from Blumentritt Road to Aurora Boulevard
• Felix Huertas Street, from Blumentritt Road to Aurora Boulevard
• Oroquieta Street, from Blumentritt Road to Aurora Boulevard

The city government advised motorists to plan their routes ahead of time and follow traffic signs and instructions from enforcers on the ground.

Manila South Cemetery: How to find a grave online

Manila South Cemetery’s new website lets visitors search for their departed loved ones and locate burial sites on an interactive map. It also provides an online feature for requesting assistance from cemetery personnel while inside the grounds.

To get started, visit manilasouthcemetery.net. Cemetery personnel said the older website, manilasouthcemetery.com, is no longer being updated.

Step 1: Open the Interactive Map

The website’s top menu has five sections: Home, Undas 2026, Interactive Map, Grave List and Action Center. The Undas 2026 page contains the cemetery’s visiting schedule and reminders, including the list of prohibited items. To locate a burial site, click Interactive Map.

The map shows the cemetery’s numbered burial plots, sections and internal streets. It also marks entrances and assistance stations for police, ambulances, portable toilets, fire services, disaster response teams, the Philippine Red Cross, the Manila Health Department, media personnel and volunteers. The male and female entrances and the entrance for persons with disabilities (PWDs) are also identified.

Screenshot: Manila South Cemetery website

The map includes the Muslim burial section and areas along Streets Q, P, O, N and M, as well as surrounding roads such as South Avenue, N. Garcia Street, Kalayaan Avenue and Metropolitan Avenue.

Below the map, click Access Grave Finder. This will take you to a separate page introducing the grave finder system.

Step 2: Click “Explore Graves” to open the interactive map

On the grave finder page, click the Explore Graves button near the bottom of the screen.

Screenshot: Manila South Cemetery website

This opens the interactive grave finder map, which displays the cemetery’s numbered burial plots and internal streets. A search bar at the top of the screen allows visitors to look up burial records by name.

Step 3: Search for your loved one

Enter the name of the deceased in the search bar. Matching records will appear in a results panel on the left side of the screen.

Check the names and other available details carefully, especially if the search returns several people with the same or similar names, before selecting a record.

Screenshot: Manila South Cemetery website

Step 4: Select the matching record and locate the grave

Click the record corresponding to your departed loved one. The interactive map will automatically highlight the burial location.

Use the highlighted plot and displayed route to help navigate the cemetery grounds. Make sure you have selected the correct record before following the route.

Request assistance through Manila South Cemetery’s grave finder

Manila South Cemetery’s online grave finder also allows visitors to request help from cemetery personnel, including in emergencies requiring medical attention.

Step 1: Select your location on the map

Open the interactive grave finder and click the section or plot where you need assistance. A pop-up labeled Emergency Location Info will display details about the selected location, including the plot number, section and group position.

Screenshot: Manila South Cemetery website

Step 2: Click “Need Help”

Click the red Need Help button in the pop-up to open the Request Assistance form. Enter your name or nickname and contact number. Both fields are required.

Step 3: Send your request

Click Send Request to submit the form. The request triggers an audible alert at the cemetery’s command center, where personnel can view the contact details and the location where assistance is needed.

Screenshot: Manila South Cemetery website

“You can use just a nickname, then enter your contact number and send the request. An alert will sound at the Manila South Cemetery Command Center. If you need help, personnel will have your name, contact number and the location where assistance is needed,” Mendez explained during a demonstration of the feature.

Manila South Cemetery: Visiting hours and restrictions

Manila South Cemetery will be open to visitors from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, according to its Undas 2026 advisory. The last day for cleaning and painting graves was Oct. 26, while Oct. 28 is the deadline for burials. Burial services will resume Nov. 3.

All types of vehicles will be prohibited from entering the cemetery from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. The ban covers motorcycles, electric bikes, electric tricycles, scooters, bicycles and monocycles.

What is prohibited inside Manila South Cemetery?

The cemetery’s Undas advisory prohibits pets, alcoholic beverages, smoking, illegal drugs, gambling, loudspeakers and illegal weapons.

Mendez also warned visitors against bringing sharp objects, firearms and flammable materials.

“Sharp objects such as knives and spatulas, and deadly weapons such as firearms, are prohibited. Alcoholic drinks, gambling, and loud noises from speakers and guitars are also prohibited,” he said.

He also identified thinner, alcohol and lighters as prohibited flammable materials.

Manila South Cemetery: Safety and assistance services

Police personnel and teams from the Manila Health Department, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Red Cross and Bureau of Fire Protection will be deployed or placed on standby during Undas.

According to Mendez, the cemetery also plans to provide 50 portable toilets in addition to its existing restrooms.

Risk tags will also be provided to visitors to help personnel locate children who become separated from their guardians. The tags will carry the child’s name, address and contact numbers, along with a QR code linking to the cemetery’s Facebook page. People who scan the code can send a message to help cemetery personnel locate the child’s guardians.

Priority lanes will be provided for women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Mendez said visitors could also avail themselves of free wheelchair assistance and electric tricycle rides within the cemetery grounds.

Manila South Cemetery: Road closures, rerouting and drop-off points

The Makati City government’s Undas traffic advisory lists several roads around Manila South Cemetery that will be closed to regular vehicular traffic or placed under temporary traffic changes.

The following road sections will be reserved for pedestrians:

• Kalayaan Avenue, from Zapote Street to N. Garcia Street
• South Avenue, from J.P. Rizal Avenue to Metropolitan Avenue
• Vito Cruz Avenue Extension, from Zapote Street to South Avenue
• Pililia Street, from Kalayaan Avenue to Baler Street, which will also serve as an access road to designated parking areas

According to the Makati City government’s advisory, public utility vehicle passengers may use the following designated drop-off and pick-up points:

• Kalayaan Avenue, between Kakarong Street and South Avenue
• Metropolitan Avenue, between South Avenue and Ecoville Street near Meralco
• J.P. Rizal Avenue, near the corner of South Avenue and J.P. Rizal Avenue