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Original poster

Would you buy a house backing onto a cemetery?

178 replies

Olinguito · 21/11/2023 01:12

We're house hunting at the moment and like the look of a house that backs onto a cemetery. There is a substantial garden wall and high trees on the other side blocking the view of graves. The back garden has the advantages of being quiet and not overlooked.. However, would the proximity of a cemetery put you off, and do you think it would be difficult to sell in future?

OP posts:
Reugny · 21/11/2023 01:13

No.

You wouldn't have any noise disturbance from that side.

Sholkedabemus · 21/11/2023 01:14

A cemetery would not put me off, I would like the fact that we weren’t overlooked by other houses. The tall trees might put me off, due to damage from their roots, cutting out light and lots of leaves falling into my garden.

GodspeedJune · 21/11/2023 01:15

Not bought but we rented a grand old place years ago. Graves could be seen from one end of the house, but only upstairs. Didn’t bother me at all but my DM was thoroughly spooked by it!

FlipsSakeMum · 21/11/2023 01:15

No, the fact that the land want be built on would be a real positive for me. It's also likely to be quiet with open views. An old established graveyard would be better than a new one.

EmmaEmerald · 21/11/2023 01:16

It wouldn't put me off but I'd wonder what future buyers might think.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 21/11/2023 01:47

Wouldn't put me off, but I'd only commit to the purchase once I'd assessed the risk and convinced myself there was a solid, viable contingency plan for dealing with a zombie apocalypse.

EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 21/11/2023 01:56

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 21/11/2023 01:47

Wouldn't put me off, but I'd only commit to the purchase once I'd assessed the risk and convinced myself there was a solid, viable contingency plan for dealing with a zombie apocalypse.

I've never seen a zombie apocalypse where the zombies came from reanimated corpses so I don't think being cemetery adjacent increases zombie related risks. I still wouldn't buy the house personally, Id find it a bit creepy and my DD who has anxiety would be freaked out by it.

Rosecutting · 21/11/2023 02:00

Generally speaking, no wouldn’t put me off.
If anything it’s a positive because no houses overlooking the garden, no potentially noisy neighbours from the back and no plans in future for building on that land.

As someone else said, old established cemetery would be better than a new one.

The only problem for me would be if the cemetery was higher than the land the house sits on.

jellybe · 21/11/2023 02:14

Wouldn't put me off at all. No noise and it's not going to get developed on.

flapjackfairy · 21/11/2023 02:18

it would put me off because of the potential for gangs of youths to hang around at night drinking rather than the graves themselves.

YAFP · 21/11/2023 02:19

The back garden has the advantages of being quiet and not overlooked.

Grin
chapelhatpeg · 21/11/2023 02:25

We nearly bought a block of land with my PILs which was backs to a cemetery, I asked Pop if it would bother him and he said “nay lass, dead folks don’t harm you, it’s the live buggers that do”.

FourteenTog · 21/11/2023 02:29

Depends. Is it a naice cemetery? Or could there be a security risk if it's used by dodgy living people? If it's near a church, are you ok with bells and services? Does the water supply for your drinking run through it?

JFT · 21/11/2023 02:39

It wouldn't put me off as long as it was a well kept place. I had a friend whose flat overlooked a graveyard and it was so peaceful and spiritual. Obviously if you're spooked and find it uncomfortable, don't do it, but personally I'd have no problem.

WearyAuldWumman · 21/11/2023 02:55

A lot of people round my way buy houses that back onto cemeteries. Some are new build; some are the old gatehouses. They are much sought after.

LaurieStrode · 21/11/2023 03:08

Agree with all the positives but it would still creep me out.

momonpurpose · 21/11/2023 03:11

chapelhatpeg · 21/11/2023 02:25

We nearly bought a block of land with my PILs which was backs to a cemetery, I asked Pop if it would bother him and he said “nay lass, dead folks don’t harm you, it’s the live buggers that do”.

My granny used to say something similar don't worry about the dead worry about the living. If you really like the house I'd say go for it

chillin12 · 21/11/2023 03:14

I am afraid of the paranormal. I always feel scared after midnight when I’m alone in the house. So, personally, it would put me off.

user1492757084 · 21/11/2023 03:24

What a wonderful opportunity.
I would relish the old trees, green space for birds and the lack of noise.
I love the history in graveyards; I would have to build a stile or rope ladder over my fence to have easy access to walking in the graveyard on a regular basis.
The house would have an increased value for resale, I think.

Somewhereoverthersinbowweighapie · 21/11/2023 03:28

If you can get it at a really good price. As it will be difficult to sell.

@chillin12 I was always absolutely terrified of the possibility of something paranormal, but after actually experiencing it I can now walk back to bed in low light at night and not hurry as I think something is going to get me. It’s only recent, maybe I will go back to being scared. The paranormal thing was most likely in my head and not real.

CanadianJohn · 21/11/2023 03:30

"I've never seen a zombie apocalypse where the zombies came from reanimated corpses"

Watch "Plan 9 from outer space."

chillin12 · 21/11/2023 03:34

Somewhereoverthersinbowweighapie · 21/11/2023 03:28

If you can get it at a really good price. As it will be difficult to sell.

@chillin12 I was always absolutely terrified of the possibility of something paranormal, but after actually experiencing it I can now walk back to bed in low light at night and not hurry as I think something is going to get me. It’s only recent, maybe I will go back to being scared. The paranormal thing was most likely in my head and not real.

Wow. I am glad you are doing better now. Hopefully, you continue being courageous. Seems like so many posters are very brave and see the cemetery location as a good thing! 😅I wouldn’t choose that.

Somewhereoverthersinbowweighapie · 21/11/2023 03:36

@chillin12 I would never have considered buying something by a cemetery before this. I think my brain is broken.

HoppingPavlova · 21/11/2023 03:38

Wouldn’t worry me at all. Much better than the potential for living arsehole neighbours.

HoppingPavlova · 21/11/2023 03:42

If you can get it at a really good price. As it will be difficult to sell

Not necessarily. I’d actually be prepared to pay a premium for the lack of potentially problematic living neighbours. But that would be the same if I bordered anywhere without living neighbours, not just a cemetery.