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• Latest 3D technology reveals secrets of Henry VII's funeral effigy head

  Monday, 17th February 2025

  Westminster Abbey is undertaking a new project using the latest 3D technology to scan the funeral effigy head of Henry VII - the first Tudor monarch and the father of Henry VIII.

  ...Torrigiano - who came to England after leaving Florence in around 1509-10 - the funeral effigy head is startlingly realistic and one of the most popular items on...

• What is a Christian funeral?

  Would you like to know more about the Christian faith? Here’s a short guide: how it began, its beliefs and practices plus, help if you’d like to explore it further.

  Christian funeral is firstly an act of worship, in which family, friends, and other worshippers commend the person who has died to the loving mercy and keeping...

• Recent funerals

  Find out about the many elaborate royal funerals have taken place in Westminster Abbey prior to burial here.

  1760 the next funeral of a monarch or consort did not take place until 1925 when the coffin of Queen Alexandra, widow of King Edward VII, lay in state in the...

• Holding The Queen in our long history

  A reflection for Holy Week by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster

• Fraternité conservation spotlight: Catherine de Valois

  Tuesday, 19th March 2024

  Join our Conservation Team to discover the secrets of Catherine de Valois' funeral effigy.

  At her funeral in the Abbey in 1437, her painted wooden effigy was carried on her coffin, lavishly dressed in robes and a crown.

  Events

• The grave

  Honouring the Unknown Warrior, a centenary after his burial in Westminster Abbey.

• Queens Consort of Westminster Abbey

  Ahead of the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort on 6 May, we’ll be sharing stories from each of the 38 Coronation services held here since 1066.

• Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell Remembered

  Wednesday, 15th May 2019

  Princess Alexandra attended a Westminster Abbey service to commemorate the life of Florence Nightingale and to mark the centenary of the funeral of Edith Cavell.

  Florence Nightingale Edith Cavell Special Service

• A Reflection on history

  Friday, 12th June 2020

  I have been watching the film of Edward Colston’s statue emerging from Bristol’s Floating Harbour. The statue stood on the city centre Watershed, perhaps five hundred metres from Bristol Cathedral.

  Friday Reflection COVID-19

• Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales

  Henry Frederick was the eldest son of James I. He died suddenly in 1612 and his funeral was held at Westminster Abbey on 7th December.

  body lay in state for a month at St James' Palace until his funeral at Westminster Abbey on 7th December (parallel funerals were also held in Oxford, Cambridge...

• Diana, Princess of Wales

  Diana, Princess of Wales was tragically killed in a car accident on 31st August 1997. Her funeral was held in Westminster Abbey on 6th September.

  Funeral Diana, Princess of Wales was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris on 31st August 1997.

• John Baker

  Sailor

  Vice-Admiral John Baker died on 10th November 1716 at Port Mahon in Minorca and his body was returned to Westminster Abbey for burial.

  Manet post funera virtus [virtue remains after the funeral].

• Mary II

  Mary and her husband William III were crowned as joint monarchs in 1689. A coronation chair was specially made for Mary's use. Their wax effigies can also be seen.

  Her magnificent funeral on 5th March 1695 cost £50,000. Some music Henry Purcell composed for the service was used at his own funeral a year later.

• Abbey documentary series to air on Channel 5

  Wednesday, 21st September 2022

  Channel 5 is to screen a major new six-part documentary series bringing viewers behind the scenes at Westminster Abbey.

  Filming was completed before the death and State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II earlier this month.

• George II and Caroline

  George II and Queen Caroline were crowned in the Abbey on 11th October 1727. They are buried next to each other in the Lady Chapel.

  Handel composed his anthem The ways of Zion do mourn for the funeral.

• Elizabeth I

  Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII, was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 15th January 1559. She was buried in the Abbey in 1603. Her monument is in the Lady Chapel.

  What happened at Elizabeth I's funeral and burial? Elizabeth I died on 24th March 1603 at Richmond Palace.

• Charles II

  Charles' coronation took place on 23rd April 1661. He was buried in the Abbey on 14th February 1685 in a vault in Henry VII's chapel.

  Instead of a funeral effigy, as had been usual at previous royal funerals, only an imperial crown on a purple cushion lay on the coffin.

• Our history

  Westminster Abbey is a treasure house of paintings, stained glass, textiles and artefacts – and is also where some significant people are buried or remembered.

• Explore our History

  Explore our History:.

• John and Edward Willis

  Carpenter

  In the west cloister of Westminster Abbey is the grave of John Willis, Abbey carpenter, his son Edward and niece Ann.

  His signature appears in the Abbey's Funeral Fee book for work he carried out at various funerals.