McDivitt Grove Cemetery
Urbandale operates the McDivitt Grove Cemetery located at 7001 Meredith Drive.  The land was originally sold in 1853 to William McDivitt, a pioneer settler, whose name the cemetery still bears.  When John McDivitt, son of William, died, his father set apart a portion of his farm for the cemetery in 1865. A schoolhouse was built on the site in 1866 and the ground was deeded for cemetery purposes in 1870. In the summer of 1875, the school was moved and a Church was built. The church stood from 1875 – 1950 on what is now the “West Addition” portion of the cemetery.

The Webster Township Trustees maintained the cemetery for many years. The City of Urbandale acquired the management responsibility for McDivitt Grove Cemetery in April of 1998.

McDivitt is a non-perpetual care cemetery. A permanent record of all interments is maintained at the Urbandale Parks and Recreation office. Records date back to burials in the 1860’s. Unfortunately though, many of the earlier records are incomplete. There are no lots left for sale in the cemetery.  Lot owners may sell or surrender a lot back to the City, with certain requirements. On that occasion, those lots become available for sale.  Traditional lot fees are $400 for an Urbandale resident, or $500 for a non-resident of Urbandale.  

McDivitt Grove Columbariums
The City has two columbariums at the McDivitt Grove cemetery. Columbariums are outdoor walls containing niches. The columbariums are granite walled and house 48 niches each. Each niche is 12" x 12" x 11.5" for the placement of urns. Urns containing human cremations will only be allowed in the columbarium.

Niches are still available for sale. Niches are sold on a first come, first serve basis.  Niches cost $1,100 per niche for Urbandale residents and $1,200 per niche for non-residents. The price includes faceplate engraving, opening and closing.  An optional rose engraving may be purchased for and additional $50.  There is not a restriction on the number of niches that can be bought.  Purchasers must agree to the terms and restrictions set forth by the City of Urbandale.

For more information about McDivitt Grove Cemetery, or to find a specific columbarium niche, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (515) 278-3963.