"And see undrugged in evening light the decent inn of death" (c)

Kensal Green Cemetery opened in 1833 and was the frst commercial cemetery in London. The need for large cemeteries in London was stimulated by the increase in population and the inadequate space provided by existing cemeteries and churchyards.
Campaigners for burial reform and public opinion considered the best solution would be “detached cemeteries for the metropolis”, and in 1832 Parliament passed a bill that incorporated the General Cemetery Company “for the Interment of the Dead”.
 The General Cemetery  Company had purchased  land for the cemetery in  1831 and promoted a  competition for the design of  a new Cemetery at  Kensal Green.
 The brief  included two chapels with  catacombs, entrance  gateway with lodges and a  landscaped layout for  monuments. There were 46  entrants, and the winner  was Henry Edward Kendall  (1776- 1875) for his designs for buildings in the Gothic style which can be seen in his perspective drawing in the RIBA Architectural Library.