The situation became so bad that the Burial Act of 1855 was passed to cover up graveyards with flagstones, hence the name St Michael's Flags. It has been estimated that 40,000 people were buried here.
Due to a dire situation, the Burial Act of 1855 was passed to cover up graveyards with flagstones, earning it the nickname "St Michael's Flags." An estimated 40,000 individuals are believed to have been interred there.