Caerphilly seeks volunteers to attend funerals for the unclaimed

Caerphilly County Borough Council is seeking volunteers to attend funerals for people who die without family or friends, as part of a new initiative to support public health burials. The scheme, launched by the council’s bereavement service, aims to ensure that no individual is buried alone and that every funeral…

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Westerleigh memorial boxes inspire new children’s book

Westerleigh Group’s memorial post boxes have inspired a new children’s picture book, now published by Scholastic Books. “This Letter Says I Love You” is based on the story of 10-year-old Matilda Handy, who wanted to send letters to her late grandmother. The first white memorial post box was installed in…

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Highgate Cemetery drops building plans amid community concerns

The Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust has withdrawn plans for a new Gardeners’ Building following opposition from grave owners near the proposed site. The structure was to be built in the eastern section of the cemetery, near the Mound, as part of the trust’s Unlocking Highgate Cemetery conservation masterplan. The…

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‘Time to Say Goodbye’ tops UK funeral music chart for second year

Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman’s “Time to Say Goodbye” has retained the top spot in the UK’s funeral music chart, with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” once again in second place. The biennial chart, compiled by Co-op Funeralcare, draws on data from its 90,000 annual services to reveal the most commonly…

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St Helens bereavement team shortlisted for national cemetery award

St Helens Bereavement Service has announced it has been shortlisted for a national award recognising high standards in cemetery and crematorium management. The team at St Helens Borough Council is in the running for the Cemetery of the Year Award, having previously received Silver for five consecutive years. They now…

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Prepaid funeral plan sales surpass 100,000 in record H1 of 2025

The UK’s prepaid funeral planning sector has reported record sales in the first half of 2025, with more than 100,000 new plans purchased, according to the National Association of Funeral Plan Providers (NAFPP). A total of 111,887 new plans were sold in the six months to 30 June – spelling…

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Golden Charter appoints new CEO and chair

Golden Charter has announced the appointment of Chris Wilson as its new chief executive officer starting from 1 September, with board member Claire Zuurbier set to take over as chair from John Thornton effective 1 October.  The appointments follow the planned departure of current chief executive Mark Huggins, who stepped…

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Pendle council approves plans for new multi-faith cemetery

Pendle Borough Council has approved plans for a new 6.3-hectare multi-faith cemetery, which is due to be built on the Nelson-Brierfield border.  The burial ground, on land off Edge End Avenue and Halifax Road, will provide space for around 4,500 graves, as well as areas for ash interment, ornamental planting…

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Cambridge council signs contract for new bereavement centre

East Cambridgeshire District Council has signed a contract with construction firm Kier to build a bereavement centre near Mepal, with work set to commence this month. The facility will include a crematorium, natural burial area, pet cemetery, function room, memorial walkway and remembrance garden, set within meadows and wildlife walks…

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CMA finds mixed cost and price trends in the funeral sector

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reported mixed trends in costs and prices across the funerals sector in its third and final annual review of market outcomes. The regulator said profitability for large funeral directors fell between 2015 and 2023, driven partly by rising costs and a shift towards…

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