The Graveyard of St. Mary the Virgin, Santon Downham

Contrary to common practice the graveyard of St Mary the Virgin has the largest side on the North of the church. This includes area D, a large new (1964) graveyard and cremation plots marked A. Areas B, C and E are all in the old graveyard around the church. Many of the graves are obscure through weathering, but those that can be read indicate a settled community into which has come a steady influx of new comers . The earliest graves are of prosperous yeomen their estate workers and their servants. The survey dates from 1813 to the present day. Many of the graves are unmarked. The Santon Downham Index of Burials from 1813 to 2000 is included. It has been modified to show the plot numbers in the five different areas of the churchyard.

Ronnie Moran ©2000