The council’s cemeteries have been awarded a Gold Award for the second year running, indicating that our cemetery services are ranked among the highest in the country.

This year’s Gold Award confirms our strong commitment to the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), which develops and improves bereavement services and sets the standards of service for the industry, as well as the Charter for the Bereaved.

The award shows we provide a firstclass service to bereaved families, providing help for families dealing with bereavement, and with vital funeral arrangements.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: “We’re very proud of this second Gold standard award, as it is recognition at a national level.

“It shows how hard our teams work to maintain the borough’s cemeteries, to create a peaceful place for families when they need one. It also shows the practical work we do to provide support for our families dealing with bereavement, and with vital funeral arrangements.

“We are pleased to get recognition for how well our teams have looked after many bereaved families in Barking and Dagenham over the years, especially during these very difficult times.”

The award also indicates our work maintaining the borough’s cemeteries, which include the newly landscaped Chadwell Heath (pictured) which last year achieved Gold standard accreditation under the Charter for the Bereaved, as well as Rippleside and Eastbrookend cemeteries.