About the National Federation of Cemetery Friends
The National Federation of Cemetery Friends (NFCF) was formed as the result of a number of heritage- and conservation-minded voluntary groups, concerned about the decline in care of our Victorian cemeteries, contacting each other. The threat to these important burial grounds from developers and negligent owners and managers of the cemeteries was the motivation to the conservationists to make a positive and practical stand. In some cases, local groups formed specifically to influence public opinion against a threat to a particular cemetery and later started researching the heritage and ‘promoting’ the site with guided walks. In other cases, the Friends formed either to preserve the flora and fauna or to make the cemetery more widely appreciated by leading walks, often publishing guide books and giving talks. Many now work with schools to encourage educational visits.
The National Federation of Cemetery Friends was established at a meeting at Highgate Cemetery, London, on 29 May 1986. Seven cemetery groups were present, Abney Park in London, Beckett Street in Leeds, Brookwood in Surrey, Highgate in London, Nunhead in London, The Rosary in Norwich, Undercliffe in Bradford and York. As it looks forward to its 40th anniversary in 2026 the Federation now has around 140 members throughout the UK actively caring for cemeteries and churchyards, as well as organisations and individuals with complementary interests.
The Federation is represented on the government’s Burial and Cremation Advisory Group (BCAG) and has contributed to research on cemetery management and burial legislation.
Following extensive discussions in 2024 the committee decided that it was in the best interests of the Federation to become an incorporated organisation. This move was agreed by an overwhelming majority of members at a Special General Meeting in July 2024 and on 21 October 2024, The National Federation of Cemetery Friends CIC was registered at Companies House as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company limited by guarantee. You can view the company’s Certificate of Incorporation.
On 1 January 2025 the entire assets and responsibilities of the National Federation of Cemetery Friends were transferred to the new company.
A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a type of limited company which, instead of generating a profit for shareholders, retains any surplus income for the benefit of the ‘Community’. Our community is ‘individuals and groups of individuals who have an interest in the appreciation, preservation and conservation of cemeteries, churchyards and other burial grounds within the United Kingdom’.
The company is managed by an eight-strong Board of Directors formed from the committee of the old Federation.
The directors formulated a Community Interest Statement which details what the company will do in the interests of its members, effectively the aims of the company. Briefly, these are:
- Act as an umbrella organisation for Cemetery Friends groups around the United Kingdom
- Provide individual advice and support to Cemetery Friends groups
- Provide a range of easily accessible information to its community
- Encourage members of the public to become more involved in their local cemeteries and burial grounds with a view to recruiting more members into the community
- Provide at least one opportunity per year for members of the community to meet together to exchange ideas and knowledge
- Represent members of the community at a range of local and national forums
- Where necessary, fund or subsidise the provision of legal advice or representation, with the consent of the Regulator.
You can read the company’s full Community Interest Statement.
The company is governed by its Article of Government, which is effectively its constitution. You can read the full Articles of Association.
You can view the company’s registration at Companies House.