Cemeteries

Welcome to the Westminster Cemetery Service

The City of Westminster operates three cemeteries which are situated outside the borough. The Parks Client team manages the service which is contracted to Continental Landscapes Limited.  

Green Flag Award

Westminster cemeteries are higly rated.  We are extremely delighted that all 3 cemeteries were awarded green flags in the 2009/2010 entry at a ceremony on 23 July 2009. The green flags were awarded for the management of the non burial element of the cemeteries are seen as the gold standard for public spaces that are welcoming, safe and well maintained  For detailed information on what a green flag award is please click.

Purchase of Grave Spaces

Grave spaces can be purchased for immediate or future burials or for the interment of ashes.  Before you decide why not take a look of our list of cemeteries fees and charges. You can also click this link to view a 360 Degree Tour of all the 3 cemeteries. 

For further information you may visit the individual web pages below.

1. Hanwell Cemetery (formerly City of Westminster Cemetery)

2. East Finchley Cemetery (formerly St. Marylebone Cemetery)

3. Mill Hill Cemetery (formerly Paddington New Cemetery)

Westminster has also adopted the Charter for the Bereaved which covers the processes related to how burials are handled.

Services on offers

• New Grave Spaces -  you can purchase of grave spaces at any of the three cemeteries
• Re-interment - this can be done into an existing grave
• Cremated Remains - this may be interred in a new or existing grave with the right to erect a permanent memorial.
• Chapes - this is available to use for funeral services with taped or live music
• Book interments 
• Obtain information from the cemetery records
• Seek advice
• Filming or photography
• General enquiries

this can be arranged by contacting the Hanwell Cemetery Office on the details below:  

Complaints

If you have a complaint or other comments that you feel cannot be dealt with by the staff at our Hanwell office then you should contact the client officer for Cemeteries whose contact information is on our contact page or the cemeteries team .  We are always happy to discuss your needs and requirements or any comments you may have on the service you receive.

Denomination, religion or belief

The council's cemeteries are primarily for Christian burials but services are provided for all people no matter what denomination, religion or belief they may have.   Where possible any special requirements will be accommodated to ensure that each service is as individual and appropriate to the wishes of the deceased and relatives as possible.

Chapel opening times

The Chapels are available for all funeral services between 09:00am and 16:30pm Monday to Friday and live or taped music may be played upon request.

Donated benches scheme

The City Council also permits under certain conditions the placing of donated benches near to identified grave plots.  If you are considering donating a bench to one of the councils cemeteries please visit our Donated Benches Scheme web page.

What we do not provide

• We do not offer grave maintenance services but this can be arranged with a private contractor or through the cemetery office.

The Opening Hours for the three Cemeteries are:

Former City of Westminster Owned Cemeteries

For information on burials or interments in the former Paddington Cemetery in Willesden Lane you should contact London Borough of Brent who now hold all the cemetery records.

Westminster Association of Relatives (WAR)

Tel: 0207 286 9299