Norwich Cathedral: Forgotten lives

Most churches have some human remains buried somewhere inside the building – under floors, in crypts, even inside the walls. But for centuries, most people’s last resting places was in their own parish churchyard, not inside their church. To be buried inside a church you had to be a saint, or royal, or a very senior member of the clergy.

Monastery churches, as Norwich Cathedral was for the first few hundred years of its existence, became very popular places to be buried during the medieval period, because the permanent presence of monks – many of whom were ordained priests – meant there was always someone available to pray for your soul’s journey into heaven.

Norwich Cathedral is full of centuries-worth of memorials to past lives, many recalled in impressive memorials in costly marble or alabaster. But other lives too are remembered here too, memorialised in much humbler ways, from the simplest of floor slabs to hand-scraped graffiti – including an entire family, cursed.

Join us on this Specialist Tour to hear more about some forgotten lives, from a medieval 'singing man' via an Antarctic explorer and an 18th-century philanthropist, to a renowned Victorian surgeon, a young victim to the Spanish Flu, wartime heroes and political firebrands.

Timings

Monday 14 September:

Tour 1430

Friday 18 September:

Tour 1430

Location & directions

The Dean & Chapter of Norwich Cathedral, Chapter Office, 65 The Close, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 4DH

Directions:

Meeting point and directions will be issued on booking

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

If you can no longer fulfil your booking, please cancel this by emailing [email protected] at least 48hrs in advance of the booked event to provide others with the opportunity to attend.

Booking contact name:

The Forum

Booking website:

https://norfolkhods.ticketsolve.com/

Booking opens:

26 Aug 2026 10:00 AM

Booking closes:

13 Sep 2026 03:00 PM

Accessibility details

Disabled parking must be pre-booked by telephoning 01603 218300.

Additional information

Max number of people:

15

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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