Trying to find out what happened to my grand-mother's body

[louisemcm]

Hello everyone

My grand-mother Phyllis Louisa Mary Watson nee Wood died on 19th February 1949 in Goldsel Road, Swanley, Kent. My mother was at boarding school at the time and wasn't allowed to come back for the funeral, my mum also died 30 years ago and my remaining relatives don't know what happened to Phyllis.
Phyllis was born 23 December 1907.

I believe that Phyllis must be buried/cremated in the environs of the Swanley area as she lived there and so many of her family lived there too.
I know that Phyllis is not in the graveyards at All Souls Crockenhill or the Baptist Union graveyard, even though several of her relatives on the Wood side of the family are.
I've tried "Findagrave" and "Billion graves" and searched the cremation records at Eltham Crematorium via "deceasedonline" but have found nothing. North West Kent family history society couldn't find any records for a burial/cremation either.

I tried searching the British newspaper archives but didn't find any notices about her death.
I'd like to take my children and visit her final resting place but am feeling that her body seems to have just disappeared.
I'm new at research so maybe I've missed something.
Please could any one advise me on how I could find out where Phyllis is
Many thanks
Louise

[CaroleW]

She left a will.  Husband was one of the executors.  Outside chance she may have included burial details.

You can download a copy for £1.50

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

Have asked moderator to move your post to the Kent board

[cath151]

Hi
So sorry, wrong information.
Cathy

[louisemcm]

Thanks so much CaroleW.

If you have probate does that mean that you have a will? (Sorry I'm new to this!).

I've ordered her will (hopefully I've done it correctly). I'm assuming that the town listed in bold is what you put down as the registry.
Let's see if there is any information on it when I get it.
Best wishes
Louise

[louisa maud]

How about Google to find out local cemeteries,  I wonder,  would she have been cremated as early as the date given

Louisa Maud

[CaroleW]

Yes - she left a will as it was a grant of probate - not a grant of administration

Sounds as though you have done ok when ordering as it would have errored you otherwise.  Don't get your hopes up though - there may be nothing re burial in the will

[Josephine]

Hi, Louise:

My suggestion would be to contact the churches in the area. Churchyard cemeteries are private and therefore their records are not included with the local/council burial records. If she was buried in a churchyard cemetery, it's possible that the register in question is still physically at the church, and therefore would need to be consulted in person by someone who works or volunteers there. If the register has been transferred to an archive somewhere, someone at the church should be able to tell you where.

Regards,
Josephine

[louisemcm]

Thanks everyone. I'll try to contact some churches and I'll see if anything comes back when I get the will.
I'm going to have to learn what grants of probate and administration are. There's so much to learn as a newbie at family history research.

[Gibel]

Do you know where her parents are buried? If yes I imagine you’ve tried that already.

Have you tried Swanley Parish Church ( St Mary the Virgin)? They have a website which will have contact details.

How about the local paper of the time?

There’s a Swanley History Group They have a website and email who might be able to help.

If I think of anything else I’ll post again.

Where was Phyllis married? Which church did they attend?

Her father’s accident and death was reported in the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser.

Added

Having reread the newspaper report the service and burial where at Crockenhill Baptist church and he’s as you probably know buried there as there is a stone.