Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Stories in the stones: using cemeteries as a local history resource

Why visit a cemetery as part of the history curriculum? Local studies now feature prominently in the primary history curriculum for both key stages. This development challenges teachers to find easily accessible, inexpensive and relevant resources on their doorstep. A rich resource which has traditionally been overlooked is the local churchyard or cemetery.

Here we have put together some classroom learning resources which can be used ahead of a visit to Rectory Lane Cemetery.  We are grateful to the Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society for their help with materials and to our genealogy volunteers for the research.

Ideally, the classroom learning would be followed up by a guided tour of the cemetery so students can extend their discovery, when these can be arranged.