Future of burial provision discussed

Representatives of Gawsworth Parish Council and the Parochial Church Council met last month to discuss options for the future of burial provision in Gawsworth.

The meeting analysed both scenarios where burial provision ceases and where it continues through extension of the existing churchyard.

The graveyard at St James is filling up and there is currently space for approximately 50-60 new graves and 150 cremated remains plots which, based on existing burial trends, suggests it will be full by 2038. The meeting discussed the legislative framework for graveyards noting that under common law, all residents of a parish and those dying within a parish have a legal right to be buried in the Church of England churchyard; this applies to people of all denominations and faiths and people of no faith.

Financial considerations were very much in the minds of the meeting participants as they considered the options for future burial provision, including options for who could be the burial authority and the desire to maintain a well-kept environment.

Both the Parochial Church Council and Parish Council will have further discussions on the subject and they agreed to work closely together to achieve the best possible outcome for Gawsworth. The Parish Council will be discussing the report at it’s May meeting.

The views of all residents will be sought in the Parish Survey planned for later this year.