Memorial service held for bodies found in pub crypt

A memorial service has been held after a two bodies were found in a crypt on the site of a new pub.

Co-op Funeralcare, local church and local archaeologists teamed up to learn more about the couple and to give them a reburial and ceremony. The team were unable to identify the pair however they did find that the site was once a methodist chapel dating back to 1844.

The reburial happened this weekend in a ceremony at Gorleston Old Cemetery, where a new memorial headstone was unveiled.

Debbie Bishop, the funeral administrator behind the ceremony, said: “As soon as we heard about what had been uncovered as part of the building work we knew we had to do something to honour these people.

“So, after the pair had been given new resting places in Gorleston Old Cemetery, we worked with several people and groups in the area to ensure that the couple would have a lasting memorial to mark where they were buried.

“I would like to say a big thank you to Dennis Payne, Minister Katy Dunn and Abbey Memorials for all their help and support in making this possible. We are proud to be part of the community in Gorleston and proud to have worked with others in the area to help honour this man and woman.

“The service to mark the unveiling of the memorial was very well attended and we thank everyone who took time to come along.”