Members of the public are invited to view plans for a new community mausoleum development at Brookwood Cemetery, designed to meet growing demand for above-ground interment.

The public exhibition is being held in the north cemetery chapel until Sunday 13 September 2026. Visitors can drop in between 9am and 4pm to view the plans and learn more about the development (except when the chapel is being used for private memorial services).

Visitors are also warmly invited to attend a coffee morning in the chapel on Tuesday 8 September between 10am and 1pm, to view the plans and meet the team behind the build.

Brookwood Cemetery Manager, Avril Kirby, said:

“Our existing community mausoleums are now fully subscribed, with all chambers either occupied or reserved.

“To meet growing demand, Greenbridge Designs, a leading provider of mausoleums, will begin work in October on six new blocks next to the existing community mausoleums.

“Once completed, the new development will provide an additional 84 chambers for families who choose above-ground interment.”

Brookwood Cemetery opened in 1854 and continues to serve as a resting place for people of all faiths and none. The cemetery's first community mausoleums were built in 2008.

Avril continued: “Brookwood Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the UK and offers a wide range of burial options, including woodland and natural burial. We are delighted to be able to continue providing above-ground interment for those who choose it.”

To find out more, interested parties are encouraged to visit the exhibition before 13 September or attend the coffee morning on Tuesday 8 September between 10am and 1pm. No booking required, please drop-in.

Visitors will have a rare opportunity to peek inside some of Brookwood Cemetery's historic mausoleums on Saturday 12 September as the site takes part in the Heritage Open Days 2026 campaign.

Usually closed to the public, the mausoleums offer a fascinating glimpse into Victorian funerary architecture and the stories of those commemorated within them.

Alongside the open mausoleums, visitors can enjoy self-guided trails of notable graves, a free guided walk, refreshments, picnics among the cemetery's wildlife and wildflowers, and entry to the cemetery's iconic Columbarium.

Avril Kirby, Brookwood Cemetery Manager, said:

“Brookwood Cemetery is open to visitors every day, but opportunities to see inside our historic mausoleums are much rarer.

“Thanks to the work of The Brookwood Cemetery Society, these remarkable structures are being carefully restored, and visitors can now appreciate their architecture and history without compromising their preservation.

“The Columbarium, the largest of our historic structures, will be open for people to step inside, with a volunteer guide on hand to tell you about its history and architectural features.”

The theme of this year’s Heritage Open Day campaign is ‘everyday histories’ so in addition to exploring the cemetery’s mausoleums, the society will lead a free, guided walk starting at midday from the society lodge (south cemetery).

Kim Lowe, Chair of The Brookwood Cemetery Society, explains:

“There are many notable people buried in Brookwood Cemetery. Our guided walk will highlight the graves of individuals associated with brands, inventions and sporting traditions familiar to millions.

“Individuals such as sugar refiner, Henry Tate, British racing motorist, journalist and clubman, Sydney Charles Houghton "Sammy" Davis, and members of Huntly and Palmers biscuit empire.”

The activities on Saturday 12 September take place between 10am and 3pm. Admission is free and no booking is required.

Brookwood Cemetery has been awarded the coveted Green Flag Award as it is officially recognised as one of the best parks in the country.

Brookwood Cemetery is one of a record-breaking 2,391 sites in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the team who care for this green space, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Brookwood Cemetery has also achieved the Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management and promotion of its historic features.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said:

“Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy.

“Brookwood Cemetery has shown what can be achieved when our parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.

"Congratulations to everyone involved."

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the UK and around the world.

Brookwood Cemetery has received both the Green Flag Award and the Green Heritage Site Accreditation twice before, in 2022 and 2024 (judging is carried out every two years). 

Brookwood Cemetery Manager, Avril Kirby, said:

“It’s a privilege to manage this site and I’m thrilled to receive both the Green Flag Award and the Green Heritage Site Accreditation for a third time.

“Brookwood Cemetery is unlike any other cemetery or graveyard you’ll come across. It comprises 220 acres of historic parkland and woodland and is home to several rare and internationally important plant species. I’m enormously grateful and proud of the team involved in maintaining Brookwood Cemetery’s natural beauty, while also balancing and caring for the needs of the bereaved, who we continue to serve daily.

“The cemetery is open seven days a week from 8am to 5pm and everyone is welcome to benefit from the peace and tranquillity of our award-winning site.”

On Sunday 5 July 2026, the Bagh-E-Zehra Trust is hosting an event in the Bagh-e-Zehra burial ground in the South Cemetery.

This is a large community event featuring worship and amplified sound starting at 10am.

Participants are encouraged to park at Brookwood train station and walk through the North Cemetery to access the burial ground.

Cemetery Pales will be closed from 11 May for three days, 8am to 5pm. The cemetery will be open as normal. Please ask for access.

Surrey Highways has advised us that it plans to carry out highway works on Cemetery Pales from the 11 May for three days. The works involve the installations of signs, posts and road lines as part of its Rural Road Speed Reduction Scheme.

> Read more about the planned works of the Surrey Highways website

Cemetery Pales will be closed from the junction with Bagshot Road to the borough boundary (where the cemetery walls end). The cemetery will be open as normal. Please ask the highway staff to allow you access.

The work is weather dependent, which may cause delays to either the start or completion dates. Please check the highway information signs for latest information. We will also update this page.

Thank you for your cooperation.

This Surrey Day (9 May), spend the day discovering what hidden treasures lie behind the walls of Brookwood’s military and civilian cemeteries.

Established in 1852, Brookwood Cemetery is one of Surrey’s most fascinating yet overlooked heritage sites. Within its grounds there are literally thousands of remarkable stories, acres of green space and years of history just waiting to be discovered.

Surrey Day aims to inspire people to explore the wealth of culture and heritage on their doorstep. At Brookwood Cemetery on 9 May, visitors can join a free guided walk, take a self-guided tour of notable graves, picnic in the beautiful grounds and enjoy refreshments provided by The Brookwood Cemetery Society (10am to 3pm).

Avril Kirby, Brookwood Cemetery Manager, said: “By taking part in this countywide initiative we hope to encourage people of all ages to see the cemetery not only as a place of remembrance, but also as a unique green space, a wildlife haven and an important part of Surrey’s story.

“Many people are surprised by just how peaceful, beautiful and full of history the cemetery is. Visitors will be able to wander through our historic grounds, look inside some of our older mausoleums and discover the resting places of notable figures from across centuries.

“We’re very proud to highlight our ongoing conservation work, and the role Brookwood Cemetery continues to play in the life of the county today so we look forward to seeing lots of visitors, new and returning, on Saturday 9 May.”

Programme of activity to celebrate Surrey Day:

• 10am, free guided walk of the military cemetery (requires booking). Meet at the Canada Building.
• 1pm, free guided walk of the civilian cemetery (south side). Meet at The Brookwood Cemetery Society lodge.
• Refreshments at The Brookwood Cemetery Society lodge from 10am to 3pm.
• Self-guided trails.
• Designated grass picnic areas near The Brookwood Cemetery Society lodge.
• A rare peek inside some of our historic mausoleums. Their doors will be open allowing you to see what lies beyond their protective gates.