The cemetery contains the graves of many prominent members of Birmingham society in the late 19th century, to the extent that in 1915 E. H. Manning felt able to dub it "the Westminster Abbey of the Midlands".

The railings and entrance gates with imposing piers (all by Edge) are Grade II listed.

[6] The cemetery is itself listed Grade II* on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

The entrance piers and gates on both Icknield Street and Key Hill have been restored in recent years.

[7] Notable people buried in the cemetery include: There are 46 Commonwealth service war graves in the cemetery, commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 38 from the First World War (mostly in section L, none marked by headstones) whose names are listed on a Screen Wall memorial; and eight from the Second.