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Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation privately owns two cemeteries: Broad Green and Deane Road. Broad Green Cemetery is located on Thomas Drive, adjacent to Broad Green Hospital; Deane Road Cemetery is located in the Kensington district, off the Edge Lane corridor.
BROAD GREEN Since its inception in 1904, Broad Green has been tenderly maintained by a series of caretakers, managers and gravediggers, such that it is now a beautiful and peaceful place for our congregants to spend their final rest. There is sufficient space remaining for the entire congregation, many of whom have reserved plots. The ohel and toilet area are in the process of being completely refurbished and steel fencing has been erected around the frontage of the cemetery to deter trespassers. Thanks are due to the JP Jacobs Trust for much of the funding towards this work. As Broad Green is a private cemetery, burial charges are not as dear as those incurred for cemeteries maintained by the city. The current gravedigger is always on call, including on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and special dispensation is given by Liverpool City Council to obtain the green form to permit burials on these days, so that burials can take place in accordance with Jewish tradition. Broad Green also holds the remains originally interred in the first Jewish cemetery in Liverpool, on the premises at Frederick Street synagogue. These cover the years 1789-1802. Should you wish to reserve a plot at Broad Green, please contact the synagogue office. Dr Mervin Kingston
DEANE ROAD Deane Road Cemetery is the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Liverpool, having been opened in 1837 and closed for regular burials in 1904, when it was succeeded by Broad Green. The last reserved plot at Deane Road was filled in 1929. Many of the Victorians buried at Deane Road were instrumental in the rise of Liverpool as the second city of the British Empire and the most prominent Jewish community in Britain outside London. Unfortunately, the twentieth century saw the cemetery fall into disrepair and it became infamous locally for its dereliction. There were several failed attempts to restore the cemetery to a respectful state in one guise or another, but it is only in the last few years that plans have been put in place for its restoration and long-term maintenance as a cemetery. Work at the cemetery is ongoing, under the auspices of a committee largely comprising local urban regeneration staff, city councillors and volunteers. Great strides have been made in the physical restoration of the site, the collation of records pertaining to the cemetery and the preparation of applications for funding to continue improvements. The project’s superb website can be found at http://www.deaneroadcemetery.com and tours of the cemetery are available on request. Saul Marks |
