Canterbury Cemetery does the awards double!

Canterbury Cemetery has scooped two top prizes in this year’s prestigious national Cemetery of the Year awards.

The cemetery, which is owned and managed by the city council, won the 2026/27 Gold Award in the large cemetery category, along with the Best New Entry award in that category.

It’s a double success that recognises how well the cemetery is cared for and the way in which families and friends are supported to visit, remember and mourn their loved ones in a peaceful, calm environment.

The council works closely with its grounds maintenance company, Canenco, on day-to-day management across the 12-acre site.

And there is also a thriving Friends of Canterbury Cemetery group made of up of volunteers who come together to bring the cemetery’s historical, cultural, educational and recreational potential to the attention of a wider audience.

Cabinet member for cemeteries, Cllr Mel Dawkins, said: “We are so pleased and proud to have won these two awards, because they recognise the hugely collaborative effort that goes into looking after our cemetery all year round.

“From our cemetery team and Canenco’s grounds staff, through to the volunteers in the Friends group, everybody comes together to make it a special place for quiet reflection and remembrance of those we have lost.

“It is also a haven for biodiversity and we pay particular attention to the environmental benefits the cemetery provides for wildlife.

“We thank everyone who plays their part in everything that happens at the cemetery. This awards success is your success too.”

The Cemetery of the Year awards are now organised by The British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM), who have taken over from The Memorial Awareness Board after their 20 years of promoting and managing them.

Janet Walker from BRAMM said: “The awards are an excellent opportunity to reward hard-working staff and demonstrate the central role cemeteries and churchyards can play in the community.

“They provide places of peaceful contemplation and beauty, as well as being of historical, social and ecological importance.

“The team at Canterbury performed exceptionally throughout the extensive judging period, which is focused on industry standards, good practice and freedom of choice for the bereaved.”

Published: 8 October 2026