The crypts of ancient churches were places in which to bury the dead.

For nearly 300 years, the crypt at the west end of St Clement Danes served this purpose. Although it had not been used as a burial place since 1853, the crypt still contained many coffins a century later.

In the past, the stealing of bodies for anatomical dissection was a thriving business; one of the coffin chains used to foil these body snatchers can still be seen on display.