St Mary-at-Finchley takes the lead in pioneering burial project!

The National Burial Grounds Survey is the first burial project of its kind anywhere in the world. St Mary-at-Finchley is the first church in the Diocese of London to begin surveying and mapping its churchyard as part of this exciting heritage project.

The Church of England, with support from Historic England and other partners, including Caring for Gods Acre, has already created a digital map and database of all burial grounds in England, which will be accessible through the Church Heritage Record. This next phase involves recording in detail the grave memorials and ecology of churchyards and linking these with other resources.

The general public will have free access to view the digital mapping and GDPR-permissible records, allowing users to search for records from anywhere in the world. The records can be used for cultural projects, and by educational and research establishments.

AG Intl Ltd has been commissioned by the Church of England to survey and map every churchyard in England. St Mary-at Finchley has been given permission to be the first church in the Diocese of London to go ahead with the work, following the award of a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

From Monday 11 March to Friday 15 March, St Mary-at Finchley will be opening its church and churchyard to the general public as part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Open House Week.

Tickets for heritage tours can be booked through Eventbrite

Click here for further information about our project