Kensal Green Cemetery John Claudius Loudon Burial 

‘ Grandmama Loudon had been buried with her husband in Pinner. Papa would like to have been buried near them. But the tomb was on consecrated ground and we knew that he did not want a Christian burial. We therefore chose Kensal Green Cemetery.’ This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

The Founding and Design of Kensal Green Cemetery

The cemetery was established in 1833 in response to overcrowded and insanitary conditions in older London cemeteries. The recently opened Père Lachaise Cemetery (1804) was seen by John Claudius Loudon as a model for garden cemeteries. Kensal Green was initiated by barrister George Frederick Carden in 1824. A competition was held for the design of Kensal Green cemetery and won by architect Henry Edward Kendall. His design incorporated Gothic Revival architecture for various buildings (eg chapels and lodges) with a garden layout featuring paths, trees, and monuments. It was consecrated in 1833 by the Bishop of London and became a commercial cemetery and the first of London’s "Magnificent Seven" large garden cemeteries in the city. It had a Non-Conformist Section, reflecting the religious landscape of London at the time.

Kensal Green Cemetery's Role in London's Burial Reforms

Kensal Green Cemetery played a pivotal role in reforming burial practices in London during the 19th century. As urban populations soared, the need for sanitary, spacious burial grounds became urgent. Kensal Green, inspired by the design of Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, was among the first to introduce the concept of garden cemeteries to Britain. Its design, by architect Henry Edward Kendall, combined aesthetic appeal with practicality, offering a dignified resting place amidst greenery and monumental Gothic structures. The cemetery's Non-Conformist section also highlighted the evolving religious landscape, providing a space for those who sought a burial outside the Anglican Church's jurisdiction. Kensal Green's innovative approach set a precedent for the creation of other garden cemeteries across London, collectively known as the "Magnificent Seven."