Council may have to re-use graves (From Penarth Times)

Council may have to re-use graves

PENARTH Town Council may be forced to re-use graves at Penarth cemetery in future as it is facing a burial space crisis.

Unless new ground is found, the town council will run out of space for burials in 2008.

A report put before council last month said the issue of grave re-use had been under consideration for some time.

The report stated: "In January 2004, the Home Office issued a consultation paper which highlights the possibility of grave re-use, but currently there is no legal provision to permit such use which would enable cemeteries to become truly sustainable.

"Should there be a change in legislation, this council would have to consider this highly emotive issue in great detail."

In 2004 the town council accepted a report aimed at increasing burial space at Penarth Cemetery through using roads and paths.

This will provide 160 grave spaces and should enable the council to provide new graves until 2008.

Over the past five years the council has received 30 to 35 requests a year for coffin burials.

The council is now considering using an area of land opposite the cemetery's main drive, which would provide 270 grave spaces and allow the council to provide space for 12 another years taking into account the use of roads and paths. The report also said if the council is to continue to provide burial space it may have to search for land outside of its own area.

The council has the legal power to do this but has no duty to do so. The report added: "The cost of providing and developing a new cemetery is likely to be considerable, and will have a significant impact on the council's resources financially."

The first burial at Penarth Cemetery took place in 1903, and since then more than 10,500 burials have taken place.