Hampton Online

Proposals for Twickenham Cemetery

There is to be a public consultation over the future of Twickenham Cemetery, with open days on Friday 18th June 2004 from noon to 8 p.m, and on Saturday 19th June 2004 from 10a.m. - 4 p.m.

The purpose of the exercise is to enable local residents and cemetery users to examine and comment on the proposed design for a new extension, promote the formation of a Friends of the Cemetery organisation with the Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames, and offer the public an opportunity to examine a range of funeral and support services.

Following the consultation events, a design will be drawn up, in line with the comments and views received to ensure proposals meet the needs of users.

The proposals for the cemetery illustrate a change from the existing layout, offering a wider choice of traditional and new design burial plots within a garden cemetery setting. They include a new child burial area and an area for reflection, a shelter for funeral parties to assemble for memorial and celebration events, graves which are suitable for Muslims, new plot layouts allowing families to purchase larger plots and create their own memorial gardens, and a new road with car parking.

The consultation will feature an exhibition with models, plans and perspective drawings of the proposals and garden plots. Cemetery and design staff will be on hand to personally discuss the proposals with visitors and there will be music on the Friday evening, 6-8 p.m, and on Saturday 2-4 p.m.

Staff will be available to give free memorial inspections and advice and there will be a display of natural coffins and a vintage hearse. A horse drawn hearse will be on show on Saturday from midday onwards and and there will be digging machinery on view which may be of interest to children.

A supporting exhibition, with information and literature to take away, will be available on bereavement care services and organisations, alternative and natural coffins and urns, memorials by artists, funeral directors and masons, funeral planning, the Natural Death Centre, alternative funerals, funeral services and making a will.

If you are unable to attend and would like further information about this project, or would like a colour leaflet, contact Cemeteries Manager Natasha Bradshaw, on 020 8876 4511, or by email n.bradshaw@richmond.gov.uk