Latest Phase of Improvements Works Completed at Cemetery

The latest phase of improvement works at Hailsham Cemetery in Ersham Road has been completed, part of a 2-3 year project to overlay all the footpaths with tarmac.

The ground at the entrance to the cemetery and around the chapel has been completely resurfaced to continue to ensure the safety of visitors.

The footpath renewal work follows a myriad of other improvements carried out over the past couple of years at the cemetery, including the refurbishment of the New Garden of Remembrance with the re-laying of paving slabs, installation of a new weed membrane and new gravel.

Work was also carried out on the old chapel, with a full re-roof incorporating new slate tiles, guttering and leadwork. The chapel doors were subsequently replaced with new one, hand-made from oak by a local craftsman and with the original door hinges and handles restored.

More recently, work on the Cemetery Lodge (which forms part of the cemetery estate) has been undertaken, including the repainting of the building and repairs/replacements of exterior woodwork.

Currently, work is also under way on the refurbishment of the Old Garden of Remembrance, which includes the removal of the existing beech perimeter hedge which has caused problems in the past due to heavy leaf drop.

All existing paths in the area will be re-laid using existing materials and the area of grass in the middle of the garden will be removed and offered to the community as new ashes interment plots. The burial area gained will release up to 100 ashes plots.

“Hailsham Cemetery is a quiet, secluded burial ground run by the Town Council and maintained for maximum peace for those visiting loved ones,” said Town Clerk John Harrison. “We want to ensure that our cemetery provides a fitting and appropriate place for people to visit their loved ones which is why we continue make improvements by carrying out any upgrades and repair work necessary on site. By doing this, we can ensure that the cemetery remains a place the community can be truly proud of.”

“The refurbishment of the Old Garden of Remembrance will go a considerable way in terms of providing additional interment space for the local community.”

“While we carry out the essential refurbishment work, we will do our best to minimise disruption for cemetery visitors – and people will still be able to visit their loved ones’ ashes plots as normal at the Old Garden of Remembrance.”

Hailsham Cemetery offers spaces for the burial of coffins, as well as two Gardens of Remembrance and a separate space available for the interment of cremated remains. The cemetery also includes an area for ‘meadowland burials’ – for unmarked ‘green’ burials in bio-degradable coffins with no monuments or headstones.

The cemetery grass is cut around the graves on a regular basis and to a generally high standard. The rest of the cemetery is maintained and repaired regularly by the Town Council’s Cemetery Superintendent, and the Council endeavours to inspect and assess the condition of the cemetery as often as possible.

Hailsham Cemetery is generally open from ‘dawn until dusk’. If you are intending to visit and wish to enquire about where a particular burial plot is, please call the Burials Officer on 01323 841702 (9am-4pm, Monday to Friday), who will be happy to assist. Alternatively, send an email.