In recognition of its high standards of maintenance and care, Godlingston cemetery on the edge of Swanage in Dorset has been presented with a gold standard cemetery award.
This is the first time the Swanage Town Council managed graveyard has been entered into The Cemetery of the Year Awards, and although it hasn’t been shortlisted as a finalist for 2026, acknowledgement of the council staff’s hard work was welcomed.
The cherry blossom at Godlingston in spring is quite breathtaking
Godlingston is officially a gold standard cemetry
Recognising excellent facilities and service
The Cemetery of the Year Awards 2026 which aims to improve standards and give recognition to those offering excellent facilities and service, is sponsored by the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM).
Any burial authority within Britain may enter the awards by answering an extensive list of questions, with the high scoring entrants receiving the gold standard cemetery accolade. The top scorers go through to the final in September 2026.
Godlingston cemetery received 40 out of a possible 50 points.
The assessment criteria for cemeteries includes:
- Maintenance of grounds and facilities
- Facilities such as signage, public conveniences and availability of water
- Customer service
- Online accessibility of essential cemetery information to support bereaved families
- Information availability and choice, including choice of memorial and interment
- Compliance with and membership of the BRAMM registration scheme and use of BRAMM registered and accredited memorial masons
- Health and safety
- Grave search facilities
The Swanage Town Council maintenance team who keep the cemetry looking beautiful
Councillor Chris Moreton praised the team for its gold standard award
“A tremendous tribute”
Councillor Chris Moreton who chairs the Swanage Town Council’s community services committee said:
“The gold standard award is a tremendous tribute to the workforce who look after our cemetery so well. It is a testimony to the professionalism from those who maintain the grounds, to those who administer the service and help our residents at a distressing time. We are lucky to have a good team.
“In my role as a minister, I must have conducted thousands of funerals and visited so many churchyards and cemeteries – and this one at Godlingston really cares for those who are interred or scattered.
“Up on this beautiful hillside overlooking the town, there’s a wonderful atmosphere of reflection that can only provide comfort to the families who visit.
Perfect for small ceremonies or gatherings
The chapel has been improved recently to make it more welcoming
A new alternative, the meadowlands natural burial ground
Among the wild flowers and butterflies
Godlingston cemetery was opened in 1932, extended in 1966 and again in 2021. It lies in a tranquil setting close to Nine Barrow Down and is a haven for wildlife.
There’s a small chapel in the grounds of the cemetery which is often used for funeral services and it is free to hire if the interment is at Godlingston.
Recent improvements include the provision of a toilet, which wasn’t thought to be feasible in the past, as the site is nowhere near mains drainage but advances in composting toilets have meant that one is now provided.
A new development is the meadowland burial ground which offers a more natural alternative to a traditional interment.
While there’s no memorial stones, the area is for those who prefer to be buried among the wild flowers and butterflies. Ashes can be scattered in the garden of remembrance which is also managed as a wildflower area.
One of the most famous graves at Godlingston is that of the BBC cricket commentator Brian Johnston, who once had a home in South Swanage
Keeping everything running smoothly (left to right) Swanage Town Council administrator Samantha Layton-Kelly, Swanage Town Council assets and compliance manager Gail Percival, and Swanage branch manager of James Smith funeral directors Elise Neville
“Peaceful”
Swanage branch manager of James Smith funeral directors, Elise Neville is a regular visitor to Godlingston as part of her work. She said:
“Peaceful, that’s how most people describe Godlingston. The chapel is also very much appreciated and really suits small funerals.
“The cemetery provides lots of options, whether people prefer the traditional or a more natural meadowland burial. And also different choices for the interment of ashes.
“And I must say the new compost toilet is fantastic. Often people have travelled a long way to get here, so it is a much welcomed facility.”
The compost toilet is much appreciated and often a bit of a talking point!
Clear signage helps point relatives in the right direction
Further information
- More about Godlingston cemetery
