Golders Green Crematorium

Golders Green Crematorium was the first to be opened in London and one of the oldest in Britain. The Crematorium is secular and accepts all faiths or none. The Crematorium was designed by Sir Ernest George using a Lombardic style and opened in phases from 1902. The Crematorium Gardens are Grade One Listed and were laid out by William Robinson and the location remains one of the most prestigious crematoriums in Britain.

The Crematorium enjoys a strong military tradition.There have been 14 holders of the Victoria Cross cremated here and there are locations and memorials for many other military personnel of all ranks, and from many countries. Largest among them is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial, commemorating 496 British and Commonwealth military casualties of both World Wars who were cremated here.

You are welcome to visit the Garden of Rest and the Chapel of Memory at any time during the hours when the crematorium is open. We hope that you will feel something of the peace that is associated with Golders Green.

If you would like further information or advice, the Memorial Counsellors or other members of the crematorium staff will be glad to help.

The Chapel of Memory

The Chapel of Memory lies at the eastern end of the buildings. It is currently closed and will reopen on the 15th July. This is a place of peaceful contemplation, and houses the Books of Remembrance. It is filled with flowers, and visitors are welcome to bring their own floral contributions to place in the troughs.

Memorial trees and shrubs are available in many parts of the garden, and include azaleas, rhododendrons, hebes, camellias and acers, to name but a few. Many have been selected to flower at different times of the year, or for the attractive colours of their leaves or berries.

The Books of Remembrance

The Books of Remembrance are located at the entrance to the Chapel of Memory. They are open at the page for the day, although a particular entry may be viewed on request. The volumes are designed by craftsmen to last indefinitely, bound in vellum

lettered and tooled in gold. Inscriptions and motifs are hand-written and illuminated in the tradition of medieval manuscripts.

This is a favourite form of memorial – simple, meaningful, permanent. The name of a loved one can be recorded on any day of the year that has special significance, such as birthday, date of death, or wedding anniversary. Entries of five lines or more can feature a special emblem, such as a flower or bird, badge, or crest hand-painted at the side.

The Columbaria

The two columbaria at Golders Green are among the most extensive and finest in Europe. Placement of cremated remains in a niche can be arranged to suit individual wishes. Both sealed and open niches are available in the columbarium attached to the Chapel of Memory.

The Shrine of Remembrance

For those wishing to commemorate loved ones with flowers, a bronze frame holds individual vases with an inscribed plaque. Flowers can be provided upon request, or a Yahrzeit candle ordered with flowers for a particular date. Special floral displays can also be ordered for anniversary dates, with a display card bearing the name of the deceased

The Garden of Rest

Our aim in creating the twelve-acre Garden of Rest has been to establish a living memorial of great beauty that is personal to each and every visitor, and dedicated to every name recorded here.

Every March and April spring arrives, bringing a variety of fresh colour. First the crocuses appear, tens of thousands of them, then the beautiful spring-flowering shrubs such as azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. These are followed in May and June by the vibrant colours of the roses.

Many people continue to visit the gardens months, years or even decades after they first came to commemorate a loved one here, and their devotion is a tribute to the peace and tranquillity found in these grounds.

Webcasting Services

We work with select providers to offer webcasting and recording services so that families can capture funeral services for those who cannot physically attend. Services are captured by a discreetly located camera at the back of the chapel, allowing friends and families to be a part of the service without ever leaving their home.  The funeral service can be watched live on any digital device.

Our Memorials

Our range of cremation memorials are designed and produced to the highest standards that epitomise the very best of traditional and contemporary cremation memorials available.

Memories are personal to you and your memorial should reflect this. Memorials help people to remember and celebrate a person’s life and therefore we advise that you visit the crematorium to speak with our staff before making a final decision.