The Undertaker's

What lies behind the doors of our Undertaker's? This quiet space at Ryedale Folk Museum shares the history and compassion of a very special trade. In every community, the Undertaker would be at the heart of one of the most important rites, caring respectfully and appropriately for the departed and smoothing the way towards memorial proceedings.

Undertakers often wore multiple hats, with roles in the building and carpentry trades too. Our space holds an array of objects, including the ornate toolbox made as an ‘apprentice piece’ and a selection of beautifully decorative memorial cards, all part of the Victorian rituals surrounding mourning.

By adopting our Undertaker's, you’ll become a guardian of this evocative space.