Nestled within the historic Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington, Abney Park Chapel offers one of the most beautiful and meaningful spaces for funeral ceremonies in London. With its serene atmosphere, inclusive history, and extraordinary surroundings, it’s more than just a venue—it’s a space to honour life, death heritage, and reflection. Built in 1842, in 2025 and it continues to serve it’s communites.
Originally built as a public mortuary chapel, Abney Park Chapel has always been a non-denominational space, ensuring that all members of Hackney’s diverse communities felt welcome. This remains true to date. You can feel the welcoming spirit of inclusion embedded in it’s brick work
The chapel’s cross-shaped design was designed to be both beautiful and functional. As a public chapel anyone could attend a funeral, sitting up in the public balcony looking down into the view the ceremony.
The cross like architecture was specifically so to allow the grieving family and friends to sit in the short sides of the cross out of view from the public eyes 🖤
The chapel sits within Abney Park Cemetery, one of the original ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries of London. This historic park is home to over 200,000 burials, now carefully mapped and archived by the dedicated grounds team.
As you walk through avenues lined with angels, carved urns, and elaborate Victorian graves, you’ll be struck by how each corner tells a new story. It’s a place where nature and memory intertwine, making every visit meaningful.
The team behind Hackney Unearthed works tirelessly to maintain Abney Park’s beauty while uncovering the untold stories buried beneath. Through conservation, restoration, and dedicated research, they’ve revealed layers of Hackney’s public history once thought lost.
A key part of their work includes preserving and restoring graves, nurturing it’s rich bio-diversity and whilst doing so, they continue to uncover mass public graves, a hidden chapter of London’s past. Thanks to their efforts, these stories are now being brought to light.
Want to learn more? Visit the new Abney Unearthed Exhibition
Hackney Archives,
James Library, Dalston Square, Dalston CLR, London E8 3BQ
Open Wednesdays to Fridays,
10am–6pm.
It’s a chance to explore the hidden histories, public graves, and forgotten lives that have shaped Hackney as we know it.
👉 Learn more at abneypark.org/abney-unearthed
Thereafter are the recommended funeral directors for funeral ceremonies at Abney Park Chapel.
If you wish to discuss arranging a funeral here or at another unique venue do get in touch.
email – contact@thereafter.uk
or book a call
