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Burials and memorials in Westminster Abbey facts for kids

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Honoring people with burials and memorials in Westminster Abbey has been a tradition for a very long time. This famous church in London is a special place. Many important people from British history are buried or remembered here. These include kings, queens, poets, scientists, and leaders.

History

Elizabeth I of England grave (left) 2013
The tomb statue of Queen Elizabeth I.

King Henry III rebuilt Westminster Abbey. He did this to honor Edward the Confessor, a royal saint. Edward's remains are now in a special vault near the main altar. Henry III himself was buried close by in a beautiful tomb. Many early English kings and queens, from the Plantagenet family, were also buried here.

Most Kings and Queens of England were buried in the Abbey from Edward the Confessor's time until George II died in 1760. Some exceptions include Henry VIII and Charles I. After George II, most monarchs were buried at Windsor Castle.

Since the Middle Ages, important families were buried inside the Abbey's chapels. Monks and other Abbey workers were buried in the Cloisters. One famous person buried here was Geoffrey Chaucer. He was a poet who worked at the Abbey. Other poets, writers, and musicians were buried or honored near Chaucer. This area became known as Poets' Corner. Famous names there include Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Musicians like Henry Purcell were also buried where they worked.

Over time, being buried or remembered in Westminster Abbey became a great honor in Britain. This practice started with Oliver Cromwell and Admiral Robert Blake in the 1650s. Soon, generals, politicians, doctors, and scientists were also buried here. These include famous scientists like Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Eight British Prime Ministers are buried in the Abbey. These include William Pitt the Elder and William Ewart Gladstone.

In the early 1900s, there was less space for burials. So, it became common to bury cremated remains (ashes) instead of coffins. The actor Sir Henry Irving was the first person to be cremated before being buried in the Abbey in 1905. More recently, the ashes of physicist Stephen Hawking were buried in the Abbey in 2018. His memorial stone is near Sir Isaac Newton's grave. It has a special message about black holes.

Just inside the main west door, in the middle of the Abbey, is the tomb of The Unknown Warrior. This is an unidentified British soldier from the First World War. He was buried there in 1920. You are not allowed to walk on this special grave.

Burials

British Monarchs and Consorts

Many English, Scottish, and British kings and queens are buried in the Abbey. Their spouses (consorts) are also buried there.

Elizabeth I of England grave (left) 2013 crop2
Queen Elizabeth I as shown on her tomb.

Other Royals

Many other royal family members are also buried in the Abbey. These include children and relatives of kings and queens.

Nave

Many famous people are buried in the main part of the Abbey, called the nave.

North Transept

The North Transept holds the graves of several important political figures.

South Transept

Poets corner
Poets' Corner.

The South Transept is famously known as Poets' Corner. Many writers and artists are buried here.

Cloisters

Westminster Abbey cloister
The cloister and garth.

The cloisters are covered walkways around a courtyard. Some people connected to the Abbey are buried here.

North Choir Aisle

South Choir Aisle

Ambulatory Chapels

These are smaller chapels around the main altar area.

St. Nicholas' Chapel

This chapel contains the "Northumberland Vault," a family burial place for the Percy family.

St Paul's Chapel

Other Ambulatory Chapels

Memorials

Some people are honored in Westminster Abbey with a memorial, but they are buried somewhere else.

Individuals

Individuals memorialized in Westminster Abbey

World War I Poets

Sixteen poets from the First World War are remembered on a special stone in Poets' Corner. They wrote about their experiences during the war.

20th-Century Martyrs

Westminster Abbey - 20th Century Martyrs
The 20th-century martyrs.

Above the Great West Door, there are statues of ten Christian martyrs from the 20th century. These are people who died for their faith.

Formerly Buried (Removed)

Sometimes, bodies were buried in the Abbey but later moved.

  • King Harold I was first buried in the Abbey. But his body was later removed and thrown into a fen (a type of wetland). It was then re-buried in another church.
  • Several people who supported Oliver Cromwell were buried in the Abbey. But in 1661, after King Charles II returned to power, their bodies were removed. They were re-buried in a pit outside the Abbey. This included Oliver Cromwell himself.

Proposed Burials and Memorials

Sometimes, there are discussions about who should be honored in the Abbey.

  • King Richard III burial: After his remains were found in 2012, there was a debate about burying him in Westminster Abbey. However, he was eventually buried in Leicester Cathedral.
  • Captain Sir Tom Moore memorial: After Captain Tom died in 2021, some people suggested he should have a memorial stone in the Abbey. This was to recognize his amazing fundraising efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Enterramientos y memoriales en la abadía de Westminster para niños

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