VICTORIAN CEMETERIES

The cemeteries created in the 19th century remain a familiar feature of our landscape. From London to Glasgow and Cardiff to Newcastle, we are never very far from one of these peaceful places with their crooked gravestones, silent statues… and perhaps a wandering genealogist or two. Indeed, many of us who spend time researching the lives of our ancestors are also interested in their deaths. Where were they buried? Was there a gravestone? And is it still there?

For many years, most people in Britain were buried in churchyards. In the early 19th century, however, these traditional burial grounds became overcrowded – particularly in sprawling industrial cities like London.

POISONOUS STENCH

People were concerned about the unsanitary conditions of churchyards