In 1982, when the Parish Churches of St Peter's, Bishop's Waltham and St Barnabas, Swanmore concluded that their burial grounds were complete, the two Parish Councils established a joint burial authority and purchased land between the two villages at West Hoe for a cemetery.
Since then the land has been developed as a beautiful resting place for parishioners of Bishop's Waltham and Swanmore, as well as those from other Southern Parishes.
As well as dedicated formal areas for both burials and the interment of ashes, the cemetery has been expanded with a wild flower meadow where ashes can be interred in a more natural setting, thus giving parishioners a choice of locations.
The burial areas are laid out as a "lawn cemetery" with neat rows of headstones and simple floral tributes. The formal areas for interment of ashes allow for a simple flat stone memorial plaques. Plots in the natural meadow section have no grave markers can be easily identified form the grid markers and have the option of being planted with natural bulbs.
The Cemetery Management Committee, comprising Councillors from both parishes, strives for a high standard of maintenance in all areas.
The Committee aims to keep costs for both burials and interment of ashes comparable with those charges made by surrounding parishes for similar services.
Maintenance of the burial ground is supported by the parish precept of the two villages on a pro rata basis and local residents benefit from preferential rates.
Charges 2019 - 2022
Charges 2022 - 2023
Charges 2023 -2024
Application for approval of a Memorial and Inscription
Notice of Interment
Burial Ground Regulations
Agendas and Minutes from the West Hoe Cemetery Management Committee meetings can be found Meeting Agendas and Minutes page.
For further information or for any enquires, please contact Mrs Lindsay Edge, Clerk to the Committee: westhoe@bishopswaltham-pc.gov.uk or call 01489 892323