The Bees of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery
Bees, remembrance and a messenger to heaven
There is something special about bees and graveyards.
For centuries, bees have held a unique place in folklore and tradition. In some old beliefs, bees were thought to be messengers between this world and the next — carrying news to those who had passed away and connecting the departed with those still living.
This beautiful tradition has given rise to the idea of the bee as a “messenger to heaven.”
At Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, our bees have become part of that story. Among the graves, wildflowers and peaceful surroundings, they move from flower to flower, bringing life and activity to a place dedicated to remembrance.
Meet our queens
Our hives have some very special residents, each with a name and personality of their own.
Meet our queens:
- 👑 Queen Dolly Be Parton
- 👑 Queen Beyoncé
- 👑 Queen Beopatra
- 👑 Queen Siofra
These remarkable little creatures are at the heart of our hives, working alongside thousands of other bees to keep their colonies thriving and producing our very own honey.
Pure Dead Brilliant Honey
From these hardworking bees comes something very special — our very own 'Pure Dead Brilliant' honey.
The bees gather nectar from the flowers and plants around Hartwood, creating honey that is a true taste of the cemetery's flora and its natural surroundings.
Every jar represents a little piece of Hartwood — its flowers, seasons, landscape and the quiet work of thousands of bees.
Honey available from June to September
Each year, our honey is harvested between June and September, depending on the season and the bees.
Once harvested, Pure Dead Brilliant honey can be obtained in return for a donation towards the work of caring for and preserving Hartwood Paupers Cemetery.
Your donation helps support the ongoing work at this special place and allows us to continue looking after the cemetery, its history and its natural environment.
A sweet connection to the past
The bees remind us that Hartwood is not simply a place of the past. It is also a living landscape.
Flowers bloom, bees forage, birds visit and nature continues its cycle around those who came before us. Perhaps that is why the old tradition of the bee as a messenger to heaven feels particularly fitting here.
Whether you see them as essential pollinators, symbols of remembrance, or those traditional messengers between worlds, our bees have become a special part of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery.
And their Pure Dead Brilliant honey gives us a delicious way to celebrate that connection.
Want to learn more?
If you would like to learn more about our bees, our hives or the story behind Pure Dead Brilliant honey, please get in touch with us.
We'd be delighted to tell you more about the bees of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery — and perhaps introduce you to our very special queens.
