Resting Together: Cultural Funeral Rites in Elswick Cemeteries

Death Rituals and funeral rites

Death is one of the few universal experiences.  The way we respond to it is shaped by culture, religion, and history. Rituals around death help families and communities face loss. Funeral practices vary widely, some are sombre and traditional, while others focus on celebration and remembrance. And while the customs differ across time and culture, their purpose is the same; to honour the dead and to help the living find peace. 

Here, you can listen to interviews conducted by Project Artist, Julie Ballands, about different cultural beliefs regarding death:

Both Westgate Hill and St John’s cemeteries were, from their inception, intended for the burial of people of all faiths and none.  At Westgate Hill Cemetery, the ground was purposefully never consecrated, which meant that anyone could be buried there and there was no prescription as to what kind of funeral had to take place.  At St John’s only some of the land was consecrated, which allowed it to be used by those of protestant faith and the rest of the site could be used for burials of Catholics and those of other faiths or none. Also, from very early on after its inception, some land was sold to the Jewish community so that death rites and burial customs could take place pertaining to the Jewish faith.