to think if there was a dead body buried in the garden you would want to know about it?

[CarenzaLewis2]

I know I would.

And I have discovered there is one in my neighbour’s garden. Do I tell them?

Obviously I would treat it with proper respect, and as a massive learning experience. I’ve done it before. It’s the thought of my own dig in my own garden that’s exciting. But it’s not to be.

I wouldn’t want to know- but wouldn’t care if I did. I live in London. Place is riddled with plague pits, paupers graves and old graveyards and all sorts. More than likely there’s someone buried pretty near by anyway.

I wouldn't want to know generally but if all the neighbours already knew and I was the only who didn't then I'd probably prefer someone to tell me. What are your neighbours like? Quite practical or bit superstitious? That's probably something to consider.

I’ve done it before please do tell

How old are the houses? If the burial was say 100 + years ago to be honest there might not be that much of he or she left.
I'd want to know because I'd be interested.
You don't know though how your neighbours will feel. They might be fine but equally they may not and potentially it could destroy their home for them if they felt they could no longer live comfortably there.
Stay quiet. You don't want to be responsible for unnecessary upset.

I’d probably want to know but I certainly wouldn’t be digging them up and poking about

Does your survey give any indication of how long ago they were buried?

Roman dead or 1980s, save a bit of money on funeral costs dead?

Also, where are you?
As someone has already said I suspect there's a lot underground that we don't know about. Any green space = good spot for a plague victim.

You've done it before 😂 what, dug up a body buried in your neighbours garden to give it a poke, that's a bit concerning OP!

JaneJeffer I’ve done a couple of archeological digs in the past.

It’s likely to be Roman and we are on the edge of a Roman camp although a couple of miles out. Housing estate is modern.

Can’t decide what to do re the neighbours - they need to fix the fence between us, and if I go round there and say “did you know there’s a corpse in your garden?” they’ll think I’m being spiteful.

Tell them the body may be buried with gold to pay for the fence?

Don't jump the fence and dig up your neighbours' flower bed in the middle of the night. 😂 That would be a whole new CF thread.
I'd leave the body at rest but I would be out with a metal detector looking for Roman coins if I lived at the edge of a Roman camp.

At least they'll know why if their telly starts kidnapping small children.

I'd be as excited as you op but if they aren't interested in history they probably won't care.
They'd be a bit daft to get upset if that's what you're worried about .

Why would it show up on searches for your house or your other neighbours if it is buried next door?

Genius, Baguetteaboutit!

I'd want to know, because I'd want to know if it was Roman, mediaeval, early modern, Victorian, whatever. I would want to know what is known about it. I want to know about this one, let alone one in my own garden!

However, people can be odd about things like this, so I think you need to subtly find our whether your neighbour has an interest in history, archaeology, or anything woo before you can guess whether they'd be interested in knowing.

It didn’t come up on the conveyancing searches, it’s on a separate archeological survey done in advance of the original building work. It’s of no consequence to the houses now, spiritual activity notwithstanding.

I would want to know. I find it fascinating. History and everything. I wonder if there's a small memorial stone they havent noticed with details of the deceased?
That said, I wouldn't dig them up and poke about. I read a book like that and the main character unleashed a plague on the city so i would let it lie in peace.

How exciting. I am also jealous it isn’t in my garden. Did they do any research on the grave when it was found ? Eg sex of person, age , tomb markers, coffin ?
I would have to tell my neighbours. Maybe they would sell you that section of garden !

There is medieval pottery in my garden. But sadly no dead Romans... that I know of ...

There was a similar thread on here recently. Someone was asking if a human burial in the garden would put them off buying a house. Or something like that. I think the op was considering buying such a place, but was worrying she’d have trouble selling in the future. It wasn’t as interesting as a Roman burial; much more recent and the original owners had sought all the relevant permissions I believe, so it came up on the searches.

Responses were evenly divided between horror struck and not remotely bothered.