The General Cemetery was opened in 1841. It covers three acres of land, a small area compared to some of the grandly conceived cemeteries of this period, but was attractively laid out and has some splendid monuments, particularly the gothic spires and obelisks that front the areas near the simple Greek-style chapel

Its memorials link us to some of the people who shaped the development of Halifax in its period of spectacular growth during the 19th Century, a period which defined the way the town still looks today. 

It is now being overtaken by vegetation, making it a quiet green haven for wildlife in an urban area. The newly formed  Friends of the Cemetery are keeping paths clear and attempting to curb the more rampant species, providing access on the second Sunday of every month, from 1-4pm. Openings by arrangement at other times.

During their lifetime some of the residents of this cemetery made an impact on the society of their day which lasted for many years to come. Others represent the mixture of religious belief, politics, science, invention, and hard work in the countless trades that made Halifax so successful in the second half of the 19th and first half of the 20th Centuries

People of some significance buried in the Cemetery include:

Jonas Dearnley Taylor, founder of the Halifax Permanent Benefit Building Society, a 19thC innovation which opened up access to regulated saving and borrowing money to ordinary people, for the purpose of buying their own houses.

The Crossley family who, from small beginnings, built up the carpet weaving factory at Dean Clough into what soon became the largest carpet factory in the world, employing thousands, and leading to the expansion of Halifax from a small wool trading town into a prosperous industrial centre.

Francis, Joseph, and John Crossley, the three brothers under whose management the firm became established, and who financed some of the landmarks in West Halifax.

Ben Rushton, employed as a weaver at the Crossley`s factory; became a Chartist, marching thousands of miles around the country to officiate and preach at demonstrations in favour of justice and voting rights for the working man, and was greatly loved by the people he spoke for.

Henry Edmunds, introduced Rolls to Royce in 1904; introduced sound recording to Britain, arranged the first royal recording, pioneered electric lighting, helped make motor-sport popular. 371-372.

Louis John Crossley,  pioneer in invention of the telephone, electric lighting, and the tramcar.

Among other residents whose stories reveal something of the texture of life in their day are:

William Dyer, governor of the nearby workhouse.  following next.

Roger Ives, architect of a number of important  buildings in the area.

J.Wadsworth, who died falling off a triumphal arch built on commercial street to celebrate the wedding of  the  Prince of Wales.

visit the official cemetery website  (opens in new window)