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.
_________________ Mel
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