Borough cemeteries
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea owns and manages two cemeteries at Gunnersbury and Hanwell:
Gunnersbury Cemetery
Founded in 1929, Gunnersbury Cemetery is situated adjacent to Gunnersbury Park and occupies approximately 8.9 hectares of land.
The main office covering both of the borough's cemeteries is located here. There are toilet facilities and car parking spaces for 45 cars. The cemetery also contains a chapel which has an induction loop fitted, an electric piano organ and a selection of suitable CD music for services. A Garden of Remembrance affords the interment of cremated remains.
The cemetery entrance drive is lined with displays of colourful flower tubs and floral bedding arrangements, including flowering shrubs such as camellias and roses along the side walls.
Address and contact details
- 143 Gunnersbury Avenue Acton W3 8LE
- telephone: 020 8992 2924
- email: cemetery.office@rbkc.gov.uk
Hanwell Cemetery
Founded in 1855, Hanwell Cemetery is approximately 7.7 hectares in size and generously planted with coniferous and deciduous trees, including holly and yew, which also line the entrance drive.
Address and contact details
- Hanwell Cemetery 31 Uxbridge Road
- telephone: 020 8992 2924
- email: cemetery.office@rbkc.gov.uk
Cemetery services
The Cemeteries Division aims to provide a sensitive and a caring service to users of the cemeteries, including:
- administration and organisation of burial arrangements
- attendance at interments
- ensuring compliance with the associated legal requirements and Burial Codes of Practice
A 'maintained grave' service is also available for seasonal planting and maintenance of graves and covers:
- the sale of grave spaces for future use
- the issue of permits for the erection of monuments
- the transfer of grave ownership and grave spaces
Cemetery Office
In light of current Government advice, the office has been closed to members of the public. All enquiries should be made via telephone, 020 8992 2924, or email cemetery.office@rbkc.gov.uk. The office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. The office is closed on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Visiting cemetery grounds
Our cemeteries remain open to the public. We ask visitors to remember the importance of social distancing, and to follow the rules regarding no mass gatherings. Please continue to respect the personal space of others within the cemetery grounds.
Cemetery Fees
April 2020: During this time and until further notice, all cemetery fees and charges have been frozen at 2019/2020 rates.
Those who will be due a refund, will be contacted in due course.
Funerals
The cemetery remains open for burials, but funeral attendance is limited to family or close friends only and this must not exceed 10 people.
In line with Government guidance, from Monday 6 July 2020, 20 mourners will be permitted at burial services.
For the protection of our staff we are unable to accommodate witnessed backfills at this time.
Government guidance advises that only one funeral ceremony should be held, either at a place of worship or at the cemetery. Please take this into consideration when booking a funeral.
Notice of Memorial Safety Inspections
Gunnersbury Cemetery and Hanwell Cemetery September 2020
We are carrying out a safety and stability inspection on all memorial stones in this cemetery.
This involves an inspector testing every memorial to determine its structural stability.
Any stone that does not meet health and safety requirements will have a temporary support added or will be laid down.
We will try to contact the registered owner of the grave with suggestions for remedial works. All memorials are the responsibility of the owner to keep in good, safe order and the cost of reinstatement of the memorial is the responsibility of the owner.
For your own safety, and that of all visitors to the cemetery, do not attempt to test memorial stones yourself. Any works must be undertaken by a qualified monumental mason.
We appreciate your assistance and co-operation in ensuring this cemetery is a safe place for everyone to visit.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a memorial, or this notice, please contact the Cemetery Office on 020 8992 2924 or via cemetery.office@rbkc.gov.uk
Cemetery opening hours
The cemeteries' grounds are open to visitors from 9am daily. Closing times vary according to season:
| Opening hours | Mondays to Saturdays | Sundays (and Bank Holidays) |
| January, November and December | 9am - 4.30pm | 9am - 4.30pm |
| February, March and October | 9am - 5.30pm | 9am - 5.30pm |
| April, May and September | 9am - 7pm | 9am - 6pm |
| June, July and August | 9am - 8pm | 9am - 7pm |
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day: 9am to 4.30pm.
Exhumations
From time to time people from abroad make requests for the remains of friends or family buried in Britain to be exhumed and taken back to their native home. In order to protect the health of the grave workers and surrounding population, the Council's Environmental Health service must be notified of such cases and our agreement sought on the health precautions to be taken.