Meaning of the word "a green winter makes a fat churchyard" in English

What does "a green winter makes a fat churchyard" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

a green winter makes a fat churchyard

US /ə ɡriːn ˈwɪntər meɪks ə fæt ˈtʃɜːrtʃjɑːrd/
UK /ə ɡriːn ˈwɪntə meɪks ə fæt ˈtʃɜːtʃjɑːd/
"a green winter makes a fat churchyard" picture

Idiom

an old proverb suggesting that a mild winter will lead to many deaths and a full cemetery, often due to the spread of disease in warm weather

Example:
The elders used to say that a green winter makes a fat churchyard, fearing the sickness that follows a lack of frost.
With such mild weather in January, I hope the old saying a green winter makes a fat churchyard doesn't prove true.