Cemetery extension provides thousands of new burial spaces for the District
An extension to Magdalen Hill Cemetery along Alresford Road is now open, offering an additional 5,600 new burial spaces so local people can pay their respects to departed loved ones close to home.
The new extension includes additional space for the Church of England, Catholic and Free Church areas. The site will also include new designated areas for Muslim and Ghurkha faiths as well as a plot for travellers.
Councillor Jan Warwick, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said:
This addition to Magdalen Hill Cemetery will provide burial spaces for a broad range of people within our diverse district community - something which will continue to benefit bereaved local residents for years to come.
Losing a family member or close friend is a traumatic time and it’s comforting to know that many more members of our community will now be able to visit the burial plots of people they have lost in a pleasant location that is close to home.
The area was opened by the Mayor of Winchester Cllr Frank Pearson on 20 June 2018 and features memorial trees and benches. The extension also includes an area of meadow as a wildlife haven created by the Butterfly Conservation to support butterflies, moths and other insects.
Miff Kayum, Secretary of the Winchester Muslim Cultural Association, said:
The Winchester Muslim Cultural Association welcomes the extension of the cemetery with dedicated provision for Muslim burials. It is a really good example of what our local authority can achieve by listening and working with minority communities.
Lihendra Thapa, representative from the Gurkhas/Nepalese Community in Winchester, said:
We, The Gurkhas and Nepalese Community Winchester, would like to extend our sincere thanks to Winchester City Council for its commitment to our community in making this extension happen.