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At the beginning of the century (18th), the poorest families carried their dead, shrouded and wrapped, to the churchyard; possibly they might have used the parish "burial box" though it is not certain such an amenity existed before 1776. If the family could afford the sexton's personal charge of sixpence, they used the parish bier and pall. After 1759 a parish hearse was available at a minimum charge of 1s. within the Parish and varying charges outside the Parish boundaries. The sexton made a charge of 6d. for digging a grave in the churchyard and 1s. for a grave in the church; in the latter case, the Parish income benefited to the extent of 6s.8d.for a grave in the aisle or naves and 10s. for one in the chancel.

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Mel

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This has reminded me of a story in the Leaver family of a family taking a baby's body to Haggate on the bus because they couldn't afford a funeral. We never did get to the bottom of it.
Wher are the burial records for Haggate?

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Maureen
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There are some at Burnley but I can't remember what year they go up to though they certainly reach the 1880's. The more recent ones are still with the church. Gloria contacted them recently with a request for info.

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Mel

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