A cemetery in Barking and Dagenham that recently underwent a £400,000 extension has received a nationally recognised award.

Chadwell Heath Cemetery achieved gold standard accreditation under the charter for the bereaved, a nationwide scheme operated by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).

The ICCM, which was founded in 1913, aims to improve bereaved people’s experiences by providing a set of standards related to burial, cremation and funerals, such as checking the facilities offered and information available.

Last year, the Whalebone Lane North cemetery, which spans eight acres and features an art-deco chapel, underwent a £400,000 extension to provide enough multi-faith sites for the next two decades.

“We’re delighted that our cemetery has been recognised at the highest level with this national award."

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: “We’re delighted that our cemetery has been recognised at the highest level with this national award.

“It is perhaps a topic that we don’t like to talk too much about, but it is important that people have a helpful, pleasant experience when using our services, and a safe place to go where they can remember their loved ones.”