Glastonbury Cemetery is set for a renewed maintenance push after months of comments and complaints about the length of grass at the site. Glastonbury Town Council says specialist contractors are expected to begin regular work during the week starting Monday, 22 June 2026.

The cemetery is one of the town's most sensitive public spaces, used by families visiting loved ones as well as residents looking for a quiet place to reflect. But in recent months, the council says it has received comments, concerns, complaints and compliments about how some grassed areas have been managed.

The issue follows a period of change after the former cemetery warden retired in December 2025 following many years of service. Rather than make an immediate replacement, the council's Staffing Committee spent six months reviewing the full scale of work needed to keep the cemetery properly maintained.

At a meeting on Monday, 15 June 2026, the committee agreed to appoint specialist contractors to look after both the grassed areas and wildflower sections. Before the new programme begins, initial work will be carried out to bring the cemetery back to what the council describes as a higher standard.

The new programme will mean one cut or strim per month during the winter. During spring, summer and autumn, the whole site is due to receive two cuts or strims per month, while still allowing wildflowers including ox-eye daisies and primroses to flourish.

For the council, the challenge is balancing expectations in a place where maintenance is about more than neat grass. Some visitors want the cemetery kept formal and tidy, while others support a more wildlife-friendly approach that allows flowers and longer grass to remain in certain areas.

Glastonbury Town Council says that balance will now be built into how different parts of the cemetery are managed. Some sections may be left more natural to support biodiversity, while others will be cut more regularly to keep the site attractive, accessible and welcoming for visitors.

The council has also pointed to wider pressures on its staff and services. It says maintaining the cemetery has become more challenging at a time when the authority has taken on extra land through the devolution of services and assets, with staff shortages also adding pressure on operational teams.

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The appointment of specialist contractors is intended to give the cemetery a more consistent standard of care throughout the year. The council says it wants the site to remain peaceful, respectful and well cared for for families, friends, visitors and the wider community.

Residents and visitors have been thanked for their patience during the transition. The council says it remains committed to ensuring Glastonbury Cemetery continues to be a place where people can remember loved ones, reflect and enjoy the surroundings for years to come.

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