Allerton Cemetery

In August 2003 the total number of burials was 74,109.

Burials by religion:

• Church of England 35,596
• General Nonconformist 18,024
• Roman Catholic 15,072
• Jewish 5,397
• Muslim 20

The cemetery contains graves of 415 Commonwealth services personnel from both World Wars.[2]

Notable individuals buried here include:

• Cilla Black (died 2015), singer and television presenter.
• Julia Lennon (died 1958), mother of Beatle John Lennon.
• George Edward Nurse VC (died 1945), decorated in the Second Boer War.
• Private William Ratcliffe VC (died 1963), decorated in World War I.
• Sir Ken Dodd (died 2018), comedian.

As a result of investigations into the unauthorised retention of organs, starting on 5 August 2004 the bodies of 50 nameless babies stored for medical research at Liverpool hospitals were buried at Allerton Cemetery. Alder Hey Children's Hospital accounted for 7 of the unnamed while the rest came from other hospitals.

Allerton Cemetery has a natural woodland burial area. This provides an alternative to the traditional type of burial area as it offers an area with mature trees and a variety of natural plants and grasses. Graves are excavated to accommodate one full earth burial, so as not to damage tree roots. An adjacent grave may be purchased in reserve where family members wish to be buried together.[3]

Burials in this area can only take place in biodegradable coffins. The grave is marked with an inscribed marker with an inscription being chosen by family members. This is as opposed to traditional headstones, which are not permitted in the woodland area.[3]

The principle behind the natural burial option, is to provide an environmentally friendly alternative. It is not intended to reuse the graves in future. Families can therefore be assured that at no point will the remains be disturbed.[3]