Mausoleum Burial Cemetery Near London

The original Mausoleum was a monumental marble shrine built to honour Mausolus, ruler of Caria from 377 to 353 BC. Located at Halicarnassus in Asia Minor (now Bodrum in Turkey), it was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. By the mid-16th century the word ‘mausoleum’ had come to mean ‘a stately burial-place’ in English.

Several hundred mausolea stand in British churchyards, cemeteries and the grounds of stately homes – and many of these are exceptionally elegant structures. For more on this subject, please see our brief guide to Great British mausolea. We also have a page on the world’s most famous mausoleum – the Taj Mahal.

Traditionally, mausolea were reserved for royalty and families of noble birth. In Britain that’s how they’ve remained – until now. However, in other parts of the world, especially southern Europe and the United States, mausolea have long been favoured places of interment for men and women from all walks of life.

Most mausolea are sombre and even gloomy places. In contrast, Brightwater Memorial Park is a light, “Bright” and uplifting place for visitors to enjoy their quiet time of remembrance and reflection.