7:30am
25 acre historic cemetery located in Cheshunt
The original 6 acre cemetery, known as ‘the old cemetery’, opened in 1855 as an extension to St Mary’s Churchyard.
The first extension occurred in 1929 to the west of Dark Lane. This land was donated by Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Hedworth Meux, who is interred in the southeast corner of this area.
In 1968 the cemetery was further extended to introduce new lawn graves in this cemetery, where just headstones could be installed. However, due to public demand, part of this area was given back over to conventional graves.
The next extension was added to the far western end of the cemetery in 1992 to incorporate both conventional and lawn graves. Many conventional graves in this area have been converted into brick walled graves.
In 2014 land adjacent to the western end of the cemetery was landscaped ready for use. This new extension would feature both conventional and lawn grave areas along with burial chambers and mausoleum chambers. The first 4 community mausoleum blocks containing 144 chambers were opened for sale in February 2015 and the second 3 blocks (also containing 144 chambers) were completed in spring 2017 (see important buildings and structures section for further details).
There were 19 sunken sandstone finished burial chambers installed in front of Mausoleum Block G in 2019. In 2024 a further 18 granite finish burial chambers were installed in front of Mausoleum Block C & D.
Two Grade II listed buildings are in the cemetery grounds: The Chapel and The Lodge, both of which are decorative, early Gothic style structures.
The Chapel was constructed ready for the opening of the cemetery in 1855 and is still used for services when required.
The Lodge was also constructed for the opening in 1855 and was used from then until the mid 20th century as a dwelling. For the next 50 years it was used as a mess room and office but was restored as a dwelling in 2006.
The Hearse House has been used for storage since the 1920’s. It is believed to be one of the few remaining Hearse Houses in the country.
The Borough of Broxbourne has, for many years, been home to a large Italian community; attracted here mostly between 1945 and the 1960’s to work in the nurseries and the Borough’s extensive areas of greenhouses. The local Italian residents, not wanting to be either buried in the earth or cremated, opted for interment in a walled grave and over 250 walled graves have been constructed at the Borough’s cemeteries since 1984. Howvever, the first choice of interment would be in a private or community mausoleum, often described as “a little chapel with shelves to put the coffins on” to replicate what is done in Italy or Sicily.
For the benefit of the Italian community, and any other residents who prefer this option, the Council decided to construct a community mausoleum on land, previously used for grazing, adjoining the existing cemetery. The mausoleum was completed in November 2015. It has 144 seperate chambers in four connected blocks of 36 chambers each and each block is three chambers high.
There are also two columbarium walls providing 200 cremated remains niches, a central garden area dividing the mausoleum complex into two halves, an ashes scattering area and a commerative plaque wall.
A second mausoleum was completed in spring 2017. It holds a further 144 chambers.
Free parking on site
Public Transport Information:The nearest bus stop is situated near the corner of College Road and Cromwell Avenue