In 1885 a small coal house was transformed. It became the mortuary chapel of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. This wasn’t just any mortuary. It held a poignant secret. The Royal Hospital for Sick Children a place of healing and sorrow needed a space for quiet reflection. A space for grieving parents to say goodbye.
The original hospital stood on Meadowside House. It was a converted house with around 40 beds. A separate fever ward handled infectious diseases. The hospital’s Ladies’ Committee wanted a proper mortuary. They wanted to separate the post-mortem room from where the bodies lay. Seeing their children’s bodies in a room used for examinations was upsetting for parents. It was also affecting the nurses.
The hospital decided to convert a coal house. It would be inexpensive. The plan was a simple mortuary. However the Edinburgh Social Union suggested decorating it. Phoebe Traquair a talented artist was selected for the task. The tiny 12 by 8 foot space was soon filled with murals. Traquair painted directly onto the plaster walls. Her work was inspired by medieval illuminated manuscripts. It offered comfort and support to grieving parents.
Sadly the hospital moved to a new building in 1895. The murals were at risk. Phoebe Traquair fought to save them. She even blamed the hospital directors for their lack of care. She believed the whole structure should have been moved. Eventually an agreement was reached. The murals were moved to the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children. However the transfer was challenging. Some panels were too thick to move. Others were damaged. Traquair restored what she could. She repainted sections filling the gaps in the new larger chapel.
Today the Mortuary Chapel at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children still stands. It is a Category A listed building. Its murals a testament to Traquair’s skill and compassion are protected. They serve as a lasting reminder of the hospital’s history. A history filled with both joy and profound sorrow. A history beautifully captured in art.