Saffron Hill Cemetery

Post war building boom

Following the First World War there was a need for new housing and estates were starting to be developed to the south of Leicester. As part of this building programme it was identified that there was also a need for a new cemetery. In July 1924 the Corporation purchased 169 acres of land from Mrs Eyres Monsell of Dumbleton Hall, Evesham which was to be used for both housing and a new cemetery.

There were thirty-six designs submitted for the laying out of the cemetery and the chosen plan was by landscape architects Thomas Mawson & Son of Lancaster. Their plan was inspired by cemetery design from the USA with geometric paths and formal open spaces.

The first section of the cemetery to be consecrated for burials was the eastern section in September 1931. The cemetery was then formally opened one month later by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr H Carver JP.

Saffron Hill Cemetery in 1968

A multicultural cemetery for a diverse city

All religions and cultures have different practices for the internment of their dead which must be respected. This need to cater to a variety of beliefs is especially important in Leicester with its diverse population.

The cemetery contains the graves and final resting places of people from many different religions and beliefs with. The buildings within the grounds include The Chapel, East Lodge and the West Lodge which were completed in the late 1920s, catering to anyone who needs to use them.

Muslim burials have taken place at Saffron Hill since June 1963 with a special area opened as a Muslim burial ground in 1977. Saffron Hill contains the first purpose built Muslim chapel or janazgah in Western Europe which was opened on 27 July 1985 by His Excellency Ali Arshad, Ambassador for Pakistan.

The janazgah (Muslim chapel) was the first of its kind in Western Europe

Muslim Burial Council of Leicester

MBCOL was initially set up as an organisation that could assist and advise about the details of burials and funerals for the Muslim community in Leicester. Today the organisation is an award winning adviser to people of all faiths on matters of funeral procedures, including legal advice and registrations.

The organisation has been at the forefront of expanding knowledge about faith based funeral procedures for over two decades and they are held up as a template across Europe for the success of their work. Councils from many countries have used the work MBCOL has done as a template for helping Muslims access the correct information and services in their own cities.

MBCOL were instrumental in the 2017 refurbishment of the janazgah (Muslim chapel) at Saffron Lane Cemetery which provides an appropriate space for Muslim funerals to take place. Suleman Nagdi, Chairman of MBCOL said at the time:

MBCOL has worked to share good practice with other faith communities for a long time and the facility marks many years of hard work to provide improved community facilities at Saffron Hill Cemetery.

Find out more about the work of MBCOL.

Find out how to visit Saffron Hill Cemetery.