Cemetery records

The municipal cemeteries within Lewisham were founded after the Burial of the Dead in the Metropolis Act 1852, which led to the old churchyards being closed for burials. The newer churchyards (e.g. Christ Church, Forest Hill) were closed when they became full.

Burials did not necessarily take place in the local municipal cemetery; a family might own a grave in another cemetery, perhaps a private one such as Highgate or Woking. The nearest private cemetery was Nunhead, just outside Lewisham.

The records of the following cemeteries are held at Lewisham Crematorium, Verdant Lane, SE6 1TP (020 8697 2555). The staff there will search the records for a fee. There is no public access.

• Ladywell (formerly Lewisham) Cemetery Ladywell Road, SE13 - 1858 to date (indexed from 1920)
• Brockley (formerly Deptford) Cemetery Brockley Road, SE4 - 1858 to date (indexed from 1920)
• Hither Green (formerly Lee) Cemetery Verdant Lane, SE6 - 1873 to date (indexed from 1920)
• Grove Park Cemetery, Marvels Lane, SE12 - 1935 to date (indexed)
• Lewisham Crematorium, Verdant Lane, SE6 - 1956 to date (indexed)
• The Ladywell and Brockley Cemeteries include Roman Catholic burial grounds.

For records of Nunhead Cemetery, Linden Grove, SE15 (1840 to date), contact the Superintendent, Honor Oak New Cemetery, Brenchley Gardens, London, SE23 (020 8639 312l).

The Society of Genealogists’ publication 'Cemeteries and Crematoria in Greater London' gives details of cemeteries in other boroughs.