Museum of Funeral History

About the museum

The Museum of Funeral History opened in June 2017 in the basement of a working funeral director's premises at 29-31 Rosebery Avenue in Clerkenwell. It was set up by a member of staff who is also a local historian, and it is run from the funeral home itself.

The displays are mostly made up of text panels, photographs, newspaper clippings and period signs. They cover the history of funerals in London from early times to the present and funeral customs from many cultures and religions, including Egyptian, Assyrian, Hindu, Muslim and several Christian traditions. Material about the funeral firm and its work since the early twentieth century is also shown.

The museum is small and personal rather than a collection of valuable relics, and a visit is quick. Because it is inside a functioning funeral home, access has to be arranged with the staff, who open a side door for visitors.

Highlights

• Funeral customs of many cultures and religions
• History of funerals in London
• Photographs, press cuttings and period signs from the undertaking trade
• Set in the basement of a working funeral home with an Edwardian interior

Permanent exhibition

• Funeral history and customs – Displays of text, photographs and ephemera on London funerals and on funeral traditions of different cultures and religions.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Thomas Treacy funeral directors

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum is a short walk from the Postal Museum and Mail Rail.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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