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I'm a PhD student researching the role of the archaeological dead in contemporary British society. Think of this as a scrapbook of all the interesting links, snippets of information and random bits and bobs I come across pertaining to death, dying and the dead. Enjoy?!

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    Richard III: public could pay respects The public could be able to pay their respects to a closed casket containing the remains of Richard III, under plans being considered by church officials. The Leicester Diocese said the skeleton, found under a local council car park, would not be put on open display before he was reburied in order to show the “utmost respect” to the king. Warning that any display would not become a “sideshow”, officials said one idea could be to allow people to pay their respects to a closed casket. The skeleton was this week confirmed by DNA tests to be the missing remains of Richard III, who died aged 32 in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Described as one of the most significant finds in archaeological history, they were uncovered last September in the remains of Grey Friars Church in Leicester. DNA tests showed a direct match to two distant relatives of the monarch, while studies of the skeleton showed 10 battle-related injuries and also King Richard’s famous curved spine. Leicester University said it was beyond any reasonable doubt that the skeleton was that of the last Plantagenet king. He is now set be reinterred in a major ceremony at Leicester Cathedral although some historians have suggested he be buried at Westminster Abbey. During a discussion on local BBC Radio on Thursday, Leicester Diocese director of communications Liz Hudson said cathedral staff were working on the appropriate protocols to adopt once the skeleton was released by the university. “We must remember these are the mortal remains of a human being and, as such, must be treated with the utmost respect,” she said. “No decisions have been made but I do not think we would be disposed to displaying the bones. To have them in a casket before reinterment could be an option. “But, I must stress it is very early in the process and we will be consulting widely on what is the best way forward.” Under the licence granted to the University of Leicester to exhume Richard’s skeleton, the remains must be reburied in the cathedral by August next year. Miss Hudson added: “Whatever is decided, we will not be turning it into a sideshow. This is the cathedral for the people of Leicester and what will happen must be decided with great care and consideration.” She said the Cathedral’s own archaeologists would have to survey the ground under the building to establish a suitable location. * Historians who discovered the remains of Richard III have been invited to search a derelict churchyard and solve a 463 year old mystery involving his illegitimate son’s ‘tomb’. Richard Plantagenet is said to be buried in the graveyard of a ruined Kent church after leading an anonymous life as a bricklayer and gardener for a local Lord. Inspired by the discovery of the remains of Richard III, a local councillor has contacted the University of Leicester team to invite them down to Eastwell. Councillor Winston Michael, of Ashford Borough Council, said officials hoped they will learn once and for all if the remains in the tomb are those of the king’s son using DNA.

    Richard III: public could pay respects

    The public could be able to pay their respects to a closed casket containing the remains of Richard III, under plans being considered by church officials.

    The Leicester Diocese said the skeleton, found under a local council car park, would not be put on open display before he was reburied in order to show the “utmost respect” to the king.

    Warning that any display would not become a “sideshow”, officials said one idea could be to allow people to pay their respects to a closed casket.

    The skeleton was this week confirmed by DNA tests to be the missing remains of Richard III, who died aged 32 in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

    Described as one of the most significant finds in archaeological history, they were uncovered last September in the remains of Grey Friars Church in Leicester.

    DNA tests showed a direct match to two distant relatives of the monarch, while studies of the skeleton showed 10 battle-related injuries and also King Richard’s famous curved spine.

    Leicester University said it was beyond any reasonable doubt that the skeleton was that of the last Plantagenet king.

    He is now set be reinterred in a major ceremony at Leicester Cathedral although some historians have suggested he be buried at Westminster Abbey.

    During a discussion on local BBC Radio on Thursday, Leicester Diocese director of communications Liz Hudson said cathedral staff were working on the appropriate protocols to adopt once the skeleton was released by the university.

    “We must remember these are the mortal remains of a human being and, as such, must be treated with the utmost respect,” she said.

    “No decisions have been made but I do not think we would be disposed to displaying the bones. To have them in a casket before reinterment could be an option.

    “But, I must stress it is very early in the process and we will be consulting widely on what is the best way forward.”

    Under the licence granted to the University of Leicester to exhume Richard’s skeleton, the remains must be reburied in the cathedral by August next year.

    Miss Hudson added: “Whatever is decided, we will not be turning it into a sideshow. This is the cathedral for the people of Leicester and what will happen must be decided with great care and consideration.”

    She said the Cathedral’s own archaeologists would have to survey the ground under the building to establish a suitable location.

    * Historians who discovered the remains of Richard III have been invited to search a derelict churchyard and solve a 463 year old mystery involving his illegitimate son’s ‘tomb’.

    Richard Plantagenet is said to be buried in the graveyard of a ruined Kent church after leading an anonymous life as a bricklayer and gardener for a local Lord.

    Inspired by the discovery of the remains of Richard III, a local councillor has contacted the University of Leicester team to invite them down to Eastwell.

    Councillor Winston Michael, of Ashford Borough Council, said officials hoped they will learn once and for all if the remains in the tomb are those of the king’s son using DNA.

    (Source: telegraph.co.uk)