Plaistow
London
E13 0HB
Telephone: 020 7476 5109
Cemetery information
The East London Cemetery is in Plaistow, which is in the London Borough of Newham. The cemetery was founded in 1871 and laid out in 1872 to meet the increasing demand from the City and surrounding areas of East London. The cemetery covers approximately 33 acres and has two 19th century chapels.
The first funeral service took place on the 8 August 1872 in the burial chapel, which had been consecrated by the Church of England. The stained-glass windows within the chapel were designed by Archibald John Davies (1877-1953) and were produced during the period 1930-32. The subject matter relates to Saint Michael and All Angels, after whom the chapel is dedicated. The chapel can seat 60 people.
The cemetery is full of unique and personalised memorials such as the old lady with the handbag, Billy's dartboard and a child playing football. There is a great sense of community, and it is not unusual for generations of families to be buried close together.
There is also the great ship's anchor on the memorial to those killed when the viewing platform collapsed at the launch of HMS Albion in 1898. The iron works that made the ship is where the football club, West Ham United was founded. The claret and blue of their kit is actually the colours of the shipyard and the crossed riveting hammers on the club crest indicate the link to the shipyard.
Famous, or infamous, people laid to rest at the cemetery include Lilian Bayliss, the theatrical producer and director; Elizabeth Stride, the third victim of Jack the Ripper; Queenie Watts, the actress who starred in many Carry On films and Karl Hans Lody, the last person to be shot in the Tower of London as a spy.
Opening Hours
Our opening hours are 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Our gardens are open 8.30am -4.30pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am - 4.00pm on weekends.
Parking
Parking is available on the roads within the crematorium grounds.