Genealogy Chat

Hi Elaine, I haven't heard of that law but I saw something pretty shocking on the programme Watchdog a few weeks ago. Apparently some cemeteries are being sold to private companies who are then able to set their own rules regarding burial plots. They told a really sad story about a lady who went to visit a particular one of these privately owned cemeteries and could not find the graves of her family members in the plots where they should have been, she contacted the council who told her the name of the company who now owned cemetery and when she spoke to them she found that under their rules if no one visits a grave plot for one year the plot can be cleared and reused. She was devastated as her own health problems had been her reason for not visiting. I am not sure of the particular cemetery involved but someone else here might have seen the same programe and have a better memory than me or it may still give the details on the BBCs website. It really was shocking. Caz

That's OK Liz, after the 45 yr gap I wondered if it could then be 'sold on' but didn't know enough to make the assumption. Was grave hunting in 2 areas by phone the other day and also discovered another rellie in a paupers grave subject to the 14 yr Law. I hadn't heard of that but .... Burial Law used to require a 14 year interval between successive burials in one of these graves, (unless the deceased were from the same family). This apparently gave the family time to 'bury' their relative if they came into money to do so. Presumably they could buy the plot where the relative was already buried. Has anyone heard of this law? Elaine

You're welcome, Petrina. They should be able to give you a clue at the cemetry office. When I was searching they had to look in different books for different religions. C of E, RC and non-conformist. So if there's a grave you're interested in then finding out which book he's recorded in should help (assuming that all cemetries do it the same way of course) PS: Elaine, sorry for the minor thread jacking.

Thanks Liz. From that I think it probably means they weren't C of E. Maybe Methodists or some such thing.

I think there can be many reasons for why a grave might have been unconsecrated. One that I've come across is a still births (used to be seen as a failure and generally didn't have funerals even from what I've read). I suppose religion could be another reason, heretics, 'witches', criminals/murderers maybe? Interesting question and I'd love to hear more. Something to be googled I suppose. Edit: Taken from Broxbourne Borough website: 'Consecrated ground has been blessed by the Bishop of the Church of England. There is no restriction on who may be buried on consecrated ground, but it is generally used by Church of England parishioners. Unconsecrated ground has not previously been blessed and is available to anyone. Graves can be blessed at the time of interment by the deceased's chosen minister of religion.'

Could it be as you said - the plot was used and then the lease expired and was bought by your family? A bit like a house when the people don't move!! Perhaps they just left the original body. I would like to know more about how the grave thing works. Some of my ancestors are buried in Overleigh Cemetry, which is on line. It has a reference 'consecrated' and then either 'true' or 'false'. Would false mean they were dissenters ie not C of E?

When I enquired about a grave at the cemetry office, they looked in the books and found the entry... they then looked up the grave info and could tell us all who were buried in that grave. If the name isn't in your family line, it could be a cousin etc like you say or it could be the child of a good friend or maybe even a child that you didn't know about (illegitimate or otherwise) If you can find the birth record maybe you can find out who the parents were and work out the connection from that. (or someone at the cemetry might have been naughty and shoved someone in there they shouldn't - i've watched too much CSI lol)

My gr uncle was killed in WW2. The family could not afford to buy a plot at the time (one of 12 children!) so a neighbour gave permission for him to be buried in her family plot. Confusion for the future? !! Libby

The chap had a look at the records for me and that's what it said was in the paperwork. That's all I can tell you!, not my best subject! Elaine

Elaine, If your family purchased the grave, why would there be a burial there that was not your family? Have I misunderstood? Just asking cos I am currently laying great store by grave information and perhaps I shouldn't. Margaret

Spoke to the man at the cemetaries dept, the grave was part used when bought and the early burial had nothing to do with my family who are buried in the plot, thanks everyone, another result! Elaine

Thanks Sheila, Definately interesting! Elaine

They can be purchased for a short or long time. You'd have to find the holder of the deeds to find out exactly. Maybe your plot was sold on via the family? I have one that the family puchased in 1896 and was last used in 2004 (with room for one more cremation) Sheila

Need some advice on graves and purchasing of them. I have found a family plot that was paid for in 1897 freehold but the grave was first used 1852. I am assuming that this plot was 'reused' as it was purchased 1897, wondering if I have got it right or if somone could advise me. The baby isn't related to the family but by a twist does come into my cousins line many years later and the babies burial was paid for Elaine

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