Planned changes to burial regulations will 'help families'

2:37pm Wednesday 4th July 2012 in News By Simon Farr

Planned changes to burial regulations will 'help families' Planned changes to burial regulations will 'help families'

COUNCIL chiefs are being urged to change the exclusive right of burial from 99 years to 50 years with unlimited renewals.

Members of the High Wycombe Town Committee voted in favour of altering the regulations in a move that would ‘help families’.

Under the new proposals, an initial 50 year burial period would be introduced with families given the option to extend in 15 year tranches - subject to a fee.

Wycombe District Council officers stressed that graves would not be disturbed after 50 years – pointing to the fact that the exhumation of graves is illegal in England without consent from the Government.

It followed concerns from the Wycombe Islamic Mission, which initially believed the council would move in to clear the graves after 50 years.

Cllr Lesley Clarke said the move is designed to “help families” and “protect memorials”.

Cllr Ray Farmer added: “Most graves are only looked after by one generation, so 50 years should cover them.

“If there’s a need by grandchildren, great grandchildren etc to extend that, they can do so in 15 year periods for as long as they want.”

The new regulations would encourage more regular contact between the council and grave owners over a longer term – which is when memorials are most likely to require attention and maintenance.

It follows research by the council into other authorities which had experienced difficulty contacting the owners of graves which had become unsafe.

The committee’s recommendation will be put before WDC’s Cabinet.

Comments (7)

2:56pm Wed 4 Jul 12

rem708 says...

... and how much is this 15 year renewal going to cost?
... and how much is this 15 year renewal going to cost? rem708

3:31pm Wed 4 Jul 12

ivor says...

After 50 years if the owner can't be contacted will the right of burial be sold to someone else if there are still spaces in the grave?
~
A 99 year lease is far better than having to keep forking out every 15 years to renew. The 15 year recurring lease is merely a tax on being dead.
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Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page.
After 50 years if the owner can't be contacted will the right of burial be sold to someone else if there are still spaces in the grave? ~ A 99 year lease is far better than having to keep forking out every 15 years to renew. The 15 year recurring lease is merely a tax on being dead. ~ Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page. ivor

9:28pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Welwyn Dowd says...

If after 50 years you don't pay... move over grandad
If after 50 years you don't pay... move over grandad Welwyn Dowd

12:29am Thu 5 Jul 12

shaky2 says...

Disgraceful and disrespectful I myself would not like some stranger buried on my grave or of my family especially as this had already been paid for this is just anther money making tax on living and now dead what will they think of next.
Disgraceful and disrespectful I myself would not like some stranger buried on my grave or of my family especially as this had already been paid for this is just anther money making tax on living and now dead what will they think of next. shaky2

1:11pm Thu 5 Jul 12

williamjames says...

Why has not the BFP reported the additional costs being placed on the Town to provide a facility for muslim burial on a Saturday. Should not those who wish additional facilities pay for them? Over the last five years thare has been a need for one Saturday burial every eight months. Is this good use of tax payers money?
Why has not the BFP reported the additional costs being placed on the Town to provide a facility for muslim burial on a Saturday. Should not those who wish additional facilities pay for them? Over the last five years thare has been a need for one Saturday burial every eight months. Is this good use of tax payers money? williamjames

12:13pm Fri 6 Jul 12

waqark says...

Its not right at all to make a money making scheme from spaces that have already been paid for burial the of family members, if the council want to charge more at the start do that but dont disrespect the people that have allready passed !! & Williamjames the muslims in High Wycombe dont pay any tax that would cover a burial every 8 mths on saturday ? think they do ! what additional costs are they compared to during the week, as someone whose dad passed away 3 years ago there are none !! You cant carry on blaming muslims for everything or being different it really isnt the answer even if it might make you feel better
Its not right at all to make a money making scheme from spaces that have already been paid for burial the of family members, if the council want to charge more at the start do that but dont disrespect the people that have allready passed !! & Williamjames the muslims in High Wycombe dont pay any tax that would cover a burial every 8 mths on saturday ? think they do ! what additional costs are they compared to during the week, as someone whose dad passed away 3 years ago there are none !! You cant carry on blaming muslims for everything or being different it really isnt the answer even if it might make you feel better waqark

9:45pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Eagle eye says...

50 years is not long enough, I had to bury my daughter nearly 30 years ago, it still gives me comfort to visit her grave on birthdays/christmas etc. In 20 years time I hope that I will still be in a position to visit, I will have just reached retirement age by then, I may not be able to afford to pay for the additional 15 years that is being suggested. I feel that the Council should reconsider, afterall I can't be the only person who will be in this situation.
50 years is not long enough, I had to bury my daughter nearly 30 years ago, it still gives me comfort to visit her grave on birthdays/christmas etc. In 20 years time I hope that I will still be in a position to visit, I will have just reached retirement age by then, I may not be able to afford to pay for the additional 15 years that is being suggested. I feel that the Council should reconsider, afterall I can't be the only person who will be in this situation. Eagle eye

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