Golders Green Crematorium

Golders Green Crematorium

MOS:IMAGELOC

← Previous revision Revision as of 06:45, 19 April 2026
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==History==
==History==
[[File:Golders Green Crematorium, London (142).jpg|thumb|upright|The Bedford Chapel at Golders Green Crematorium]]

[[File:Golders Green Crematorium, London (142).jpg|thumb|left|The Bedford Chapel at Golders Green Crematorium]]
[[File:Horder Japanese Garden Pond, Golders Green Crematorium.jpg|thumb|upright|Horder Japanese Garden Pond]]
[[File:Horder Japanese Garden Pond, Golders Green Crematorium.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Horder Japanese Garden Pond]]
The lawfulness of cremation in Great Britain was not established until 1885. The [[Woking Crematorium]] had already been built in [[Woking]] and proved successful. At that time, cremation was championed by the Cremation Society of England.{{cite web|url=http://www.srgw.demon.co.uk/CremSoc/History/HistSocy.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803051500/http://www.srgw.demon.co.uk/CremSoc/History/HistSocy.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 August 2010|title=Cremation Society of G.B. – History of the Society|date=3 August 2010|access-date=1 December 2018}} This society was governed by a council, at that time led by Sir Henry Thompson (president and founding member). There is a bust to his memory in the West Chapel of Golders Green Crematorium. Out of this Society was formed the London Cremation Company (which has its offices on the premises), who desired to build a crematorium within easy reach of London.
The lawfulness of cremation in Great Britain was not established until 1885. The [[Woking Crematorium]] had already been built in [[Woking]] and proved successful. At that time, cremation was championed by the Cremation Society of England.{{cite web|url=http://www.srgw.demon.co.uk/CremSoc/History/HistSocy.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803051500/http://www.srgw.demon.co.uk/CremSoc/History/HistSocy.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 August 2010|title=Cremation Society of G.B. – History of the Society|date=3 August 2010|access-date=1 December 2018}} This society was governed by a council, at that time led by Sir Henry Thompson (president and founding member). There is a bust to his memory in the West Chapel of Golders Green Crematorium. Out of this Society was formed the London Cremation Company (which has its offices on the premises), who desired to build a crematorium within easy reach of London.


The crematorium in Golders Green was designed by the architect Sir [[Ernest George]] and his partner Alfred Yeates.{{NHLE|num=1064865 |desc=Golders Green Crematorium Barnet |access-date=2016-12-04}} The gardens were laid out by [[William Robinson (gardener)|William Robinson]]. The crematorium is a red brick building in [[Lombard architecture|Lombardic style]] and was built in stages, as money became available. The crematorium opened in 1902 and was built in four phases (1901–1910, 1910–1911, 1912–1916, 1926–1928).{{Cite web|url=https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/image-information/poster/golders-green-crematorium-london-the-east-columbarium/posterid/RIBA102395.html|title=Golders Green Crematorium, London: The East Columbarium|access-date=1 January 2020|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101194756/https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/image-information/poster/golders-green-crematorium-london-the-east-columbarium/posterid/RIBA102395.html|url-status=dead}} By 1939, the site was largely completed, although since then some buildings have been added. Since November 1902 more than 323,500 cremations have taken place at Golders Green Crematorium, far more than any other British crematorium. It is estimated that the crematorium now averages around 2,000 cremations a year. The funerals of many prominent people have taken place there over the last century.
The crematorium in Golders Green was designed by the architect Sir [[Ernest George]] and his partner Alfred Yeates.{{NHLE|num=1064865 |desc=Golders Green Crematorium Barnet |access-date=2016-12-04}} The gardens were laid out by [[William Robinson (gardener)|William Robinson]]. The crematorium is a red brick building in [[Lombard architecture|Lombardic style]] and was built in stages, as money became available. The crematorium opened in 1902 and was built in four phases (1901–1910, 1910–1911, 1912–1916, 1926–1928).{{Cite web|url=https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/image-information/poster/golders-green-crematorium-london-the-east-columbarium/posterid/RIBA102395.html|title=Golders Green Crematorium, London: The East Columbarium|access-date=1 January 2020|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101194756/https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/image-information/poster/golders-green-crematorium-london-the-east-columbarium/posterid/RIBA102395.html|url-status=dead}} By 1939, the site was largely completed, although since then some buildings have been added. Since November 1902 more than 323,500 cremations have taken place at Golders Green Crematorium, far more than any other British crematorium. It is estimated that the crematorium now averages around 2,000 cremations a year. The funerals of many prominent people have taken place there over the last century.


[[File:Into the Silent Land by Henry Pegram, Golders Green Crematorium.jpg|thumb|''Into the Silent Land'' by [[Henry Alfred Pegram]]]]
[[File:Into the Silent Land by Henry Pegram, Golders Green Crematorium.jpg|thumb|upright|''Into the Silent Land'' by [[Henry Alfred Pegram]]]]
The chimney of the crematorium is located within the tower and the building is in an [[Italianate architecture|Italianate style]]. The {{convert|12|acre|abbr=on}} of gardens are extensively planted, and produce a beautiful and tranquil environment for visitors. There are several large tombs, two ponds and bridge, and a large [[crocus]] lawn. Another notable feature is a special children's section, which includes a swinging bench. There is also a 'communist corner' with memorials to notable members of the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]]. There are two cremation chapels and a Chapel of Memory. There are also three [[columbarium|columbaria]] containing the ashes of thousands of Londoners and residents of neighbouring counties.
The chimney of the crematorium is located within the tower and the building is in an [[Italianate architecture|Italianate style]]. The {{convert|12|acre|abbr=on}} of gardens are extensively planted, and produce a beautiful and tranquil environment for visitors. There are several large tombs, two ponds and bridge, and a large [[crocus]] lawn. Another notable feature is a special children's section, which includes a swinging bench. There is also a 'communist corner' with memorials to notable members of the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]]. There are two cremation chapels and a Chapel of Memory. There are also three [[columbarium|columbaria]] containing the ashes of thousands of Londoners and residents of neighbouring counties.


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At Christmas, a [[Christmas tree]] is erected in the field in front of the main buildings. Although the crematorium is secular, a [[nativity scene]] is also placed near the Chapel of Memory.
At Christmas, a [[Christmas tree]] is erected in the field in front of the main buildings. Although the crematorium is secular, a [[nativity scene]] is also placed near the Chapel of Memory.
[[File:Golders Green crematorium (pictures) 004.jpg|thumb|The [[Freud Corner (Golders Green Crematorium)|Freud Corner]] at Golders Green Crematorium]]


==Monuments==
==Monuments==
[[File:Golders Green crematorium (pictures) 004.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Freud Corner (Golders Green Crematorium)|Freud Corner]] at Golders Green Crematorium]]
The crematorium gardens are listed at Grade I in the [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England|National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens]]. The Philipson Family mausoleum, designed by [[Edwin Lutyens]], is a [[Listed building|Grade II* listed building]] on the [[National Heritage List for England]]{{NHLE|num=1064788 |desc=Mausoleum to the Philipson Family, Golders Green Crematorium, Barnet |access-date=2016-12-04}} and the crematorium building, the wall, along with memorials and gates,{{NHLE|num=1064769 |desc=Wall to Golders Green Crematorium and Attached Memorials and Gates, Barnet |date=24 August 1993 |access-date=2016-12-04}} the Martin Smith Mausoleum{{NHLE|num=1064770 |desc=Martin Smith Mausoleum, Golders Green Crematorium, Barnet |date=24 August 1993 |access-date=2016-12-04}} and ''Into The Silent Land'', a sculpture by [[Henry Alfred Pegram]]{{NHLE|num=1359089 |desc=Golders Green Crematorium, Statue in the Grounds Titled in to the Silent Land, Barnet |access-date=2016-12-04}} are all Grade II listed buildings. The largest sculpture portraying someone cremated here is the statue of Indian industrialist and friend of [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]], [[G. D. Birla|Ghanshyam Das Birla]].
The crematorium gardens are listed at Grade I in the [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England|National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens]]. The Philipson Family mausoleum, designed by [[Edwin Lutyens]], is a [[Listed building|Grade II* listed building]] on the [[National Heritage List for England]]{{NHLE|num=1064788 |desc=Mausoleum to the Philipson Family, Golders Green Crematorium, Barnet |access-date=2016-12-04}} and the crematorium building, the wall, along with memorials and gates,{{NHLE|num=1064769 |desc=Wall to Golders Green Crematorium and Attached Memorials and Gates, Barnet |date=24 August 1993 |access-date=2016-12-04}} the Martin Smith Mausoleum{{NHLE|num=1064770 |desc=Martin Smith Mausoleum, Golders Green Crematorium, Barnet |date=24 August 1993 |access-date=2016-12-04}} and ''Into The Silent Land'', a sculpture by [[Henry Alfred Pegram]]{{NHLE|num=1359089 |desc=Golders Green Crematorium, Statue in the Grounds Titled in to the Silent Land, Barnet |access-date=2016-12-04}} are all Grade II listed buildings. The largest sculpture portraying someone cremated here is the statue of Indian industrialist and friend of [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]], [[G. D. Birla|Ghanshyam Das Birla]].