A basic guide to grave searches at West Norwood Cemetery

The first burial took place in 1837. There are now over 46,000 graves, most being private (family) graves, but there are more than 10,000 public (common) graves. The cemetery is divided into 129 squares (see illustration) and every grave has a unique number, hence the grave number and square number together define the location of the grave. However, there are no boundary markers of the squares on the ground. Unfortunately, many monuments have not survived, and others may be inaccessible due to vegetation overgrowth. Cremations began here in 1915. There were also interments in the catacombs beneath the now-demolished original chapels, but there is no public access to these.

Please send enquiries about grave searches to gravesearch@fownc.org

Getting started on your own

The primary search method is to use the commercial website Deceased Online (https://www.deceasedonline.com), where the burial and cremation records for the cemetery have been scanned and digitised and made searchable.

A simple search for the name of a person may be made at no charge. If the person is found here, a result will appear with the date of burial or cremation, and for the place it will simply say Lambeth (the borough name).

Any further information has to be paid for: you can (in most cases) obtain

(1) the grave number and square number,

(2) a list of people buried in the grave,

(3) a scan of the original handwritten entry in the Burial Register for each person.

Each individual item is chargeable.

However, you cannot obtain a scan of the large scale map of the relevant numbered square showing the numbered graves in it, which is essential for trying to find a grave on the ground. These original maps are held in the Cemetery Office, but we do have copies.

You might also search on Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/) and Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/) but these sources do not always include the grave number or the square number.

How we can help

We can help with enquiries, for example if you run into difficulties in searching Deceased Online, or need help in locating monuments. Our team of volunteers includes people with detailed knowledge of the layout of the cemetery. Our fees represent good value for the services offered by our experienced volunteers and all income generated is used by the Friends to support its charitable objectives. Please send enquiries about grave searches to gravesearch@fownc.org

Here is our scale of prices

1. Desk research, £30 for one person, one grave

With the information you give about the deceased person, name and preferably date, we will search the records held by Deceased Online, and the cemetery maps. We will email you a report with the grave number and square number, the list of people buried in the grave (if available), and the scan of the entry in the Burial Register for one person, and we will locate on paper the grave using the maps. Any further register scans may be requested for £5 each.

2. Physical inspection, £40 for one grave

Our volunteers will visit the grave site (actually finding the location with the maps can be very difficult) and provide you with a photograph of the site and any monument on the grave. As said elsewhere, not all graves are now marked with a stone, and the site may also be hard to reach due to vegetation, but we will get as close as possible to the grave location.

3. Clearing the grave site of vegetation for access, if necessary, £20 per hour

4. Accompanied family visit to the grave site, £30 for one grave

One of our guides will take you to the grave site. Please note that the cemetery ground is uneven, and sturdy footwear is necessary. The visit is taken at your own risk. Fees for multiple graves will be arranged.

Please send enquiries about grave searches to gravesearch@fownc.org