The North East Funerary Heritage Group (NEFHG) is led by a committee committed to fostering inclusive, cross-sector collaboration across Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland. The committee plays a key role in shaping the group’s direction and activities, ensuring that funerary heritage across the North East is recognised, preserved, and shared.
Committee Members
Dr Myra Giesen (Chair)
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Working at Newcastle University, Myra’s background is in mortuary archaeology, bioarchaeology, and cultural heritage policy. Myra has worked extensively in both the UK and the US, including over a decade supporting NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) compliance for the US government. She is co-editor of Curating Human Remains and contributed to the definition of “Human Remains” in the ICOM Dictionary of Museology. Myra currently leads the Ballast Hills Burial Ground project and has a strong track record of community-engaged research, with a focus on ethical stewardship, stakeholder inclusion, and the cultural significance of funerary spaces. She brings deep experience in developing policy, guiding research, and facilitating collaborative heritage initiatives across sectors.
Abby Hammond (Secretary)
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PhD researcher at Northumbria University and Northern Bridge Consortium student, working in partnership with Newcastle Cathedral. Her project, “The Women in the Ledger Stones: New Histories at Newcastle Cathedral, 1640–1815,” investigates the business lives and commemoration of women named on the Cathedral’s ledger stones. Abby brings a strong interest in funerary heritage, material culture, and public interpretation, and is committed to making hidden histories more visible through inclusive research and outreach.
Ray Hayes (At-Large Member – Northumberland)
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Co-founder of Friends of Jesmond Old Cemetery. Ray is a local historian and advocate for community-based cemetery conservation. He brings invaluable experience from grassroots initiatives and public outreach in funerary heritage.
Eve Jackson (Communications Officer)
OPEN POSITIONS – if interested in any of the opening, then please contact the Chair.
Communications Officer (second position) – To work alongside the Student Communications Officer in promoting the group, sharing updates, and engaging with members and partners.
At-Large Member – County Durham – To represent Durham in group discussions and ensure local perspectives, needs, and opportunities are reflected.
At-Large Member – Northumberland – To represent Northumberland in group discussions and ensure local perspectives, needs, and opportunities are reflected.
Associate/Support Members – On ad-hoc basis, to help with projects, events, or working groups by bringing experience, knowledge, or fresh ideas.