Building the city of the dead: Bath and burial reforms, 1820–1860

Victorian cities, including Bath, underwent significant changes in burial practices between 1820 and 1860, transitioning from churchyards to secular cemeteries with government-mandated rules. This shift was driven by complex interactions among entrepreneurs, public health reformers, and the Anglican clergy, leading to a series of compromises that shaped the 'cities of the dead.' The study reveals how these reforms influenced citizenship of the deceased, providing insights into Victorian social history. By analyzing networks of stakeholders and their discourses, the research highlights the secondary agency of the deceased in structuring urban burial landscapes.

Portier, T. (2024). Building the city of the dead: Bath and burial reforms, 1820–1860. Mortality, 30(1), 233–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/13576275.2024.2326006