A History of Death at the Heart of East London
Stop all the Clocks and Let us take you back in time
Velvet palls and nodding feathers. Weeping willows, covered mirrors and solemn mutes guarding your front door. When body snatchers stalked the churchyards and when widows wandered the streets in deepest black.
This is a history of Britain, told like no other.
Part of T Cribb & Sons, a family-run funeral director established in 1881, we are passionate about the history of death, mourning and the art of undertaking.
Spanning religion and science, fashion and folklore, we believe that the key to understanding any society lies in how it treats its dead, and our collection is the perfect place to start.
Our cabinets represent centuries of funeral history – from ‘Memento Mori’ and the rise of the ‘Undertaker’, all the way to the grand pageantry of Britain’s State Funerals and the science of anatomy, embalming and cremation.
A small and unusual museum tucked away in the corner of East London, we are packed with artefacts to satisfy your ‘morbid’ curiosity. All are welcome to take a trip through perhaps our society’s last great taboo.
Are you a student or researcher?
We have over 600 books in our library specialising in funerals, death and mourning. Both the library and museum collection are available to access on request.
Contact Us
Visits for individuals or groups by appointment. For more information, or to book, please email info@tcribb.co.uk
Find Us At
T Cribb & Sons, 10 Woolwich Manor Way, Beckton, London
E6 5PA
Curator’s Blog Posts
-
Meet the Unexpected Star of Edward VII’s Funeral
On May 20th,1910, Edward VII’s coffin made its final journey through London, followed by 9 sovereigns, 70 state representatives – and one little white haired terrier. Come with us as we take a look at how Caesar, the King’s favourite dog, became the star of his master’s funeral.
-
The Forgotten Art of Funeral Hatchments
Once a familiar sight over many a front door and undertaker’s shop window, the Funeral Hatchment has faded away into obscurity. What were they for? Where did they come from? The National Funeral Museum takes a look at the complex history of these beautiful painted panels that goes right to the heart of British Death,…
-
How to Steal a Corpse: Body Snatching in Georgian Britain
Wooden shovels, generous bribes and the cover of a moonless night; these were the tools of the infamous “Resurrection Men”. Furnishing the lecture theatres of Britain’s anatomy schools, we’ve taken a look at the practical side of this grisly business. As notes changed hands and cadavers were heaved over churchyard walls, the art of body…
-
Sailing Beyond: Nelson’s Funeral Car
Although Nelson’s voyage home was anything but grand, famously placed in a barrel of spirits lashed to the mainmast, his final journey would see him carried by several illustrious ships – a fitting tribute to perhaps the most famous figure in Britain’s Naval history. But amongst this distinguished list of famous names, a new craft…
National Funeral Museum UK 