Bromley Cemetery opened in 1918 because there was a need for burial places for the great number of victims of the influenza epidemic who perished in the last months of that year. It covers approximately 10 hectares to the east of the city centre. Although it is approaching capacity, it is still open for burials in pre-purchased plots and second interments only. The cemetery is located on ancient sand dunes which are still partly visible along Keighley's Road.

The cemetery is a typical traditional monumental cemetery and is laid out in a highly regimented north-south orientation allowing graves to face east or west. Narrow mown grass paths bisect the graves breaking the 'mass' of headstones and grave coverings into smaller rectangular 'blocks'. Tree planting is largely confined to the edges of the cemetery and along the main vehicle drive. The majority of monuments tend to be lower and more conservative than other cemeteries, providing a more orderly appearance which is accentuated by the uniformity of Services section. There are many Returned and Services Association (RSA) graves, predominantly Great War veterans. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has records of 109 burials at Bromley, 15 from World War I and 94 from World War II. Also found here is a memorial for stillborn children and one of the few mausoleums in Christchurch. (Information courtesy of Christchurch City Council website)

NB: Like several of the older cemeteries around Christchurch , Bromley cemetery appears to have suffered during the recent earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, with many of the taller headstone structures having toppled, broken and/or grave coverings cracked. It appears that whilst little significant restoration has been undertaken at present (likely due to the enormous costs involved), attempts have been made to 'reunite' fallen headstones with their original plot, nevertheless some may be difficult to locate.