Cemetery Lodge Life: Colin Burgess Manages Lewisham’s Dead While Raising Family
Lewisham Council’s head of bereavement services has lived in Grove Park Cemetery for 15 years with his wife and children.
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A four-bedroom detached house in Grove Park Cemetery has been home to Colin Burgess, his wife, and their three children for the past 15 years. The property is provided by Lewisham Council as part of Burgess’s role as head of bereavement services, which includes managing five cemeteries and a crematorium. The arrangement is rare in London, where most cemetery staff no longer live on-site.
Burgess, 46, works at nearby Hither Green Cemetery during the day and returns to the lodge in Grove Park each evening. His only neighbours are gravedigger Glen Webb and his wife, Wendy, who live in a bungalow across the main path. Both households are required to close the cemetery gates at night and maintain a presence for security.
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A Childhood Among Graves
Burgess’s children grew up in the cemetery, with their home surrounded by graves and daily funeral services. His daughter, Poppy, now 18, described the experience as normal for her but acknowledged it sparked curiosity from others. She recently left for university to study health and social care, citing her upbringing as a key influence on her career choice.
The family maintained boundaries to preserve a sense of normality. Burgess never walks his dog in the cemetery, and the children played in the garden rather than among the graves. He dismissed suggestions to ride a quad bike along the paths, saying it would lack respect for the deceased.
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People say, ‘you should ride a quad bike and ride it up these paths’ but I would never do it, out of respect.
Colin Burgess, head of bereavement services, Lewisham Council
Wildlife and Conservation
Grove Park Cemetery is a haven for wildlife, including thousands of parakeets, foxes, hedgehogs, and a badger. Lewisham Council has designated areas as ‘no mow zones’, allowing grass and wildflowers to grow to support pollinators. The same conservation efforts are in place at Hither Green Cemetery, which has also been used as a film set and featured in David Attenborough’s *Wild London* programme.
Practical Challenges
Living in a cemetery presents logistical difficulties. Wendy Webb, Glen’s wife, said takeaway delivery drivers often refuse to walk to the house, even when the gates are unlocked. The family has adapted by meeting drivers at the entrance or collecting orders themselves.
Wendy initially found the setting unsettling but has since grown accustomed to it. She described the environment as peaceful, though she acknowledged the unusual nature of their living situation. Glen Webb, who moved to the cemetery three years ago, said he had no concerns about the location, quipping that the neighbours were quiet.
Faith and Bereavement
Grove Park Cemetery includes graves from various faiths, including Christian denominations, Muslim, and Buddhist sections. Burgess, who is not religious, said he respects all faiths and has seen how religious practices help families cope with grief. He described religion as a tool that eases pain, even if individuals do not follow traditions strictly.
Burgess recounted a single paranormal experience from his time at the cemetery. While preparing to move into the bungalow now occupied by the Webbs, he took a photograph of a repaired windowsill. Upon reviewing the image, he noticed the reflection of a boy in old-fashioned school attire standing on non-existent stairs behind him.
What Happens Next
Lewisham Council has not announced any changes to its policy of providing on-site housing for cemetery staff. Burgess and the Webbs continue to live and work at Grove Park Cemetery, with no indication of plans to leave. The council’s conservation efforts in the cemetery are ongoing, with further wildflower planting and wildlife monitoring expected.
Questions this report answers
+How long has Colin Burgess lived in Grove Park Cemetery?
Colin Burgess has lived in Grove Park Cemetery for 15 years. The house is provided by Lewisham Council as part of his role managing the borough’s cemeteries and crematorium. His family, including his three children, have resided there since he took the job.
+Why do cemetery staff in Lewisham live on-site?
Lewisham Council provides on-site housing for cemetery staff to ensure security and availability for night-time duties, such as closing gates. Colin Burgess and gravedigger Glen Webb are the only current occupants, a practice rare in London boroughs.
+What wildlife lives in Grove Park Cemetery?
Grove Park Cemetery hosts parakeets, foxes, hedgehogs, and a badger. Lewisham Council has created ‘no mow zones’ with wildflowers to support pollinators and wildlife. The cemetery’s conservation efforts are part of broader environmental initiatives in the borough.
+How has living in a cemetery affected Colin Burgess’s children?
Colin Burgess’s daughter, Poppy, cited her upbringing in the cemetery as influential in her decision to study health and social care. She described the experience as normal for her but acknowledged it sparked curiosity and occasional surprise from others.
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