Hoop Lane Cemetery:
A brief History
Hoop Lane Cemetery is a Full Council Corporate Member of the ICCM (Institute of Crematorium and Cemetery Management). The aim of the ICCM is to raise standards for bereaved people through the promotion of best practice, guidance, accredited training and education.
The West London Synagogue opened its first burial ground in 1843, having secured a plot of land at Balls Pond Road, Islington. By the late 19th century, West London Synagogue needed a larger burial ground and approval was given to establish a new cemetery on farmland near the hamlet of Golders Green. The congregation purchased the site for £3,000 on 21st December 1894. The area consisted of 15 acres and 38 poles situated at the corner of Temple Fortune Lane and Hoop Lane.
Just a few months before the cemetery opened, on 23 April 1896 the West London congregation sold eight acres of the site to the Spanish and Portuguese Jews of London, thus creating an arrangement of sharing cemetery space between the Reform and the Sephardi communities that has persisted into the 21st century. Hoop Lane also became the primary burial ground of London’s Spanish and Portuguese community, superseding its earlier Velho and Nuevo cemeteries in the East End. The first interment was that of Frances Salaman, wife of Charles Salaman, who was born in Jamaica in 1817 and died in London on the 6th May 1897.
There are two owning communities: the S&P Sephardi Community and West London Synagogue. The Cemetery is managed by the Joint Burial Committee (JBC) which is comprised of three representatives from the two communities. It meets 4 times a year with the Cemetery Director.
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The Hoop Lane Crematorium is a separate organisation with no connection to the cemetery. Details can be found here
Monday 3rd August 2026
20th Av 5786
Essential external restoration/repair works to both Prayer Halls at Hoop Lane Cemetery will commence on Monday 6 July and are expected to continue for approximately 10 weeks.
These works are necessary to preserve and maintain the fabric of our historic Prayer Halls, which are now over 125 years old, ensuring that they remain safe, weatherproof and fit for future generations.
To enable the works to be carried out safely, extensive scaffolding will be erected around the entire Prayer Hall complex. Unfortunately, this will significantly reduce the amount of available on-site car parking throughout most of the project. Parking can only be reserved for Tahara team members, officiants and the funeral director.
The Joint Burial Committee and staff are committed to offering members a professional service and there is a strict ‘no gratuities’ policy. People who would like to donate any monies can do so through the charity boxes found near the cemetery offices and the prayer hall. Donations help with the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds.
Please note that parking is very restricted. The cemetery was designed in an era without cars and there is only room to safely park about 10 vehicles. During services, priority is given to the officiating Rabbi and the Funeral Director. You can park on Hoop Lane after 9.30 am Monday to Friday, and all day on Sunday.
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