Halesworth Cemetery is an interesting place to visit, a haven for birds and small mammals, wild flowers and trees, and the burial place of many Halesworth residents. The cemetery is part of the heritage and social history of the Halesworth area. The entrance is on Holton Road and you will see a chapel each side of the main access road, lined with shrubs and trees which are well over 100 years old. The cemetery is a nature reserve and a wildlife haven. Depending on the time of year, look out for the birds, muntjac deer, rabbits, grey squirrels, rare ferns, lichens and fungus. In Spring swathes of snowdrops and bluebells, followed by a carpet of cowslips in the wild flower section. The Metropolitan Burial Act 1852 was
consolidated with earlier acts leading to the closure of church burial grounds in 1854 and a national system of public cemeteries established in 1857. Halesworth Burial Board was appointed by the parish and built the cemetery in a disused quarry, they charged the expenses to the Poor Rate. The board was responsible for the management of the cemetery, for fixing fees and charges and the sale of graves. Halesworth Cemetery opened January 1855 with the first burial taking place 1st January 1855. The chapel on the left was used by the Anglicans and they were buried in the area on the left which was consecrated ground. The chapel on the right was used by Non-Conformists and they were buried on the right in unconsecrated ground. As the ground was sandy, alternate plots
were used and the plots in between used when the others had settled. A lot of the ground only
HALESWORTH CEMETERY
allowed single depth burials. The burial of babies and young children took place in specific rows with two children in an adult size plot, unless a plot belonging to the family had been purchased. People were encouraged to purchase a grant to a grave plot. This obviously brought in much needed funds to maintain the site but the name in the Grave Grants books was not necessarily the person buried in that plot. Some people, who had moved away, were brought back to Halesworth for burial.
In 1981 Halesworth Women’s Institute surveyed the whole of the cemetery. They read, transcribed the wording on the
tombstones as well as
including a simple sketch of the shape. There have been over 5000 internments and burials continue to this day. To find a burial plot 1855 to 1981 contact Janet on 01986 875351.
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