C/O Legion House, Church Lane, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7AD

The Cemetery and Chapel

Blandford Cemetery, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum DT11 7LS

The boundary walls, gates and buildings were listed by Historic England in 2016.

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Blandford Forum Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blandford Forum Cemetery Records, Maps, Grave Locations and Memorial Photos Are Now Available To View Online at Deceased Online.

Please see the relevant forms below and contact us if you are unsure about which forms to use:

2024-25 Cemetery Fees

2023-24 Cemetery Fees

Cemetery Regulations Old Part
Cemetery Regulations Top Field
Application to Purchase a Grave Space
Notice of Interment or Burial
Notice of Scattering of Ashes – Existing grave space
Rose Bush Memorial Plaque Application
Application Notes for Transfer of Exclusive Right of Burial
Application for Transfer of Exclusive Right of Burial
Application to Erect a Memorial
Assent of Executor or Administrator
Statutory Declaration
Assignment of Right of Burial

Cemetery Chapel

Cemetery Chapel July 2006     Cemetery Chapel and Headstones at Blandford Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

The chapel is available for hire and is open to visitors each year as part of the Dorset Architectural Heritage Week in September.

It has a fascinating history, which can be read by clicking on Chapel History.

Following an arson attack, the chapel was rededicated in 2014 with a service (pictured) that included the firefighters who had helped to save the building from further damage.

Rededication Service in the Cemetery Chapel

 

Cemetery Extension

Work was carried out in 2012 to extend the cemetery, as it neared capacity. A competition was held to produce a suitable centrepiece, which was won by local designer Jo Burchell (pictured below in 2017 unveiling the sculpture with the Mayor at the time, Cllr Jackie Stayt).

Bird Sculpture for the Cemetery extension

Memorial Testing

Blandford Forum Town Council has a responsibility for public safety at Blandford Cemetery.

Unsafe memorials have been the cause of severe injury in some cemeteries. The Town Council’s ground staff have undergone memorial condition training with the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management. Our trained members of staff carry out an annual inspection programme checking the condition of memorials. This may result in unsafe memorials being either laid flat or staked to prevent damage or injury. The grave owners will be notified by way of a notice being placed on the effected grave.

The registered owner of the memorial is requested to arrange for repairs to be carried out within twelve months. If the memorial is not repaired within this time, Blandford Forum Town Council will consider taking appropriate action. The Town Council therefore asks that memorials are not leant on or used for support. Visitors are to keep to the footpaths as much as possible in order to avoid shortcuts between memorials. The Town Council staff working at the cemetery understand the importance and significance of the graves and memorials to remaining friends and family.

Please be assured that all memorials will be treated with the utmost care and respect.

Please contact the Operations Manager for further information about the cemetery on 01258 454500 or admin@blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk.

Industry Award for Local Cemetery

Blandford Forum Town Council’s Cemetery has scooped a prize at the National Cemetery of the Year Awards for the second year running! Grounds staff, Neil Churchill (pictured left) and Gary Ayriss, who are part of the team that maintain the cemetery, collected the award on behalf of the Town Council. The Business Support Officer, Kat Clark administrates the cemetery and had submitted the entry.
The Memorial Awareness Board (MAB) has been promoting and organising the Cemetery of the Year Awards for nearly 20 years. Blandford Forum Town Council won the 2024/25 Gold prize in the Parish, Town and Community Council Cemetery category of the National Competition and received the award at the ‘Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management Learning Convention and Exhibition’ earlier this month.
Philip Potts of the Memorial Awareness Board said;
‘The awards are an excellent opportunity to reward hard-working staff and demonstrate the central role cemeteries and church yards can play in the community. They provide places of peaceful contemplation and beauty, as well as their historical, social and ecological importance.
‘The team at Blandford Forum Town Council performed exceptionally throughout the extensive judging period which is focused on Industry Standards, Good Practice and Freedom of Choice’.
Cllr Noc Lacey-Clarke, Mayor of Blandford Forum said: “This award is such a wonderful pat on the back for our team. It acknowledges that we really go above and beyond to try and provide a reliable, friendly and quality service. The Councillors and I are thrilled’.
The Cemetery of the Year Award is supported and endorsed by leading industry Associations:
– Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM)
– The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA)
– The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC)
– British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM)
           

 

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