Members of the Cemetery Committee, Councillors and the Mayor of Bedford Borough came together at Borough Hall earlier this week to mark a major milestone: the signing of the Funding Grant Agreement for Bedford’s first dedicated Muslim burial ground.
Cemetery Committee member Parvez Akhtar said: “This moment has been five years in the making. Many larger councils across the country don’t have such a facility, so Bedford is truly leading the way. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.”
Mayor of Bedford Borough Tom Wootton added: “The project has enjoyed full cross-party support, with all 46 councillors voting in favour, an extraordinary show of unity across the political spectrum. The signing of this agreement marks an important milestone in the creation of this burial site and the start of a new chapter for our Borough.
“It reflects our shared values of respect, inclusion, and dignity, ensuring that all members of our community, in life and in death, are treated with the care and consideration they deserve.”
With White Horse appointed as the contractor, the project now moves into its delivery phase, turning years of planning and community collaboration into reality.