![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_8594-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>The event opened with a welcome by Very Reverend Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle, and an introduction by Dr Myra Giesen, Chair of the NEFHG Steering Committee. Myra offered a working definition of funerary heritage and introduced the group\u2019s aims: to foster collaboration, raise awareness, and support the preservation and understanding of burial spaces and commemorative practices in the region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
A panel discussion followed, featuring contributions from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Mark Manuel (Archaeology, Durham University)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pete Bradshaw (Archives, County Durham Archives\/The Story)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gary Taylorson (Volunteer and Family Historian, Newcastle)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don O\u2019Meara (Heritage Oversight and Protection, Historic England)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Together, they reflected on sector-specific opportunities and challenges in funerary heritage, offering grounded insights from their respective areas of expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants then rotated through three workshops:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCo-Creating NEFHG<\/strong> (led by Myra Giesen) \u2013 exploring what members want from the group and shaping its strategic direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building a Common Language and Skills Base<\/strong> (led by Anna Walsh) \u2013 identifying shared terminology and skill needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mapping NEFHG<\/strong> (led by Abby Hammond) \u2013 locating existing projects, burial spaces, and research activities in the region.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_8596-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTea, coffee, and conversation flowed during a networking break, before the group reconvened for a closing plenary. Facilitators shared highlights from the breakout sessions and outlined next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- <\/ol>\n\n\n\n
A number of exciting ideas emerged, including the creation of practical toolkits (e.g. on gravestone cleaning and family history research), a regional resource hub, and a regular programme of events to sustain engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/files\/2025\/07\/bea35238-b624-418f-85ca-6c8896ee67a2-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis successful event was supported by the Ballast Hills Burial Ground<\/a> project, which helped to sponsor and promote the launch as part of its wider commitment to inclusive heritage engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NEFHG Steering Committee will now regroup to review the event outcomes and share suggested next steps with members in the coming weeks. Together, we can connect across disciplines, share skills and stories, and ensure the region\u2019s funerary heritage continues to be recognised, researched, and respected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On Wednesday, 23 July 2025, the North East Funerary Heritage Group (NEFHG) held its inaugural launch event in the beautiful Nave of Newcastle Cathedral. With roughly 27 participants in attendance, the afternoon brought together researchers, heritage professionals, community group members, and volunteers from across the region to explore what funerary heritage means in the North … Continue reading “Celebrating the Launch of the North East Funerary Heritage Group”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5556,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nefhg-event"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5556"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72\/revisions\/80"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nefhg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}