Fittings for the dead: The coffins of St James’s Burial Ground - TALK

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Londoners had a number of options for their burials, based on what they could afford. From plain cheap coffins for paupers, paid for by the parish, to highly decorated and ornate lead-lined coffins which were only within financial reach of the wealthy.

Wealthy Londoners also could afford protection. Resurrectionists, also known as ‘body-snatchers’, were digging up people who had recently died to sell their bodies to medical students, doctors and surgeons who studied anatomy. People were so worried they even bought special coffins with metal cages, straps, and other ingenious protection features. Many of these were uncovered as part of HS2 archaeological excavations at St James’s Burial Ground, near Euston. 

Join us at St James’s Church, Piccadilly to uncover this intriguing part of London’s history with Robert Hartle, burial expert and Senior Archaeologist at MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology).

In this 1 hour talk, you’ll learn about some of the fascinating finds from the excavations, many of which are being presented to the public for the first time. This includes everything from anti-resurrectionist measures to beautiful and unusual coffin decorations such as glass windows and ornate lid motifs. You'll also have a chance to ask questions about the finds and the excavations themselves.

This booking is for the FREE TALK ONLY - if you wish to book for a 45 mins workshop please click this link

WARNING- The events will include images of and discuss human remains

ACCESSIBILITY - for specific access needs please email administrator@sjp.org.uk

For all other enquiries please email communityengagement@mola.org.uk

Privacy Notice:

1. MOLA – as part of the Stories of St James's Burial Ground- is asking to collect information about you audience needs are met and their preferences taken on board

2. We will use the information to:

a. To have contact details to hand in case we need to contact you

b. To make sure we know your preferences in regards to photography

3. We will keep your personal information for up to 24 months – after the Stories of St James's project ends- then it will be destroyed.

4. You have some legal rights in respect of the personal information we collect from you. Please see our website for further details: https://www.mola.org.uk/privacy-notice.

5. You can contact the MOLA Data Protection Officer at: privacy@mola.org.uk

6. If you have a concern about the way we are collecting or using your personal data, you should raise your concern with us in the first instance or directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office at https://ico.org.uk/concerns/