Historic burials found in parts of cemetery reserved for new plots
A town council has confirmed ‘historic’ burials have been found in parts of a cemetery which had been earmarked for future plots.
Caistor Town Council had previously announced it had paused new burials taking place in December 2025 and was having experts look into issues and implications with parts of its North Kelsey Road Cemetery.
Following detailed survey work, including ground-penetrating radar, targeted ground trenching and mapping of the cemetery, the council said in a statement: "It is now clear that historic burials are present across parts of the site. This reflects both the age of the cemetery and the fact that earlier burial records are not always complete or entirely accurate.”
They offered reassurance to residents and relatives: “This type of finding is not unusual in older cemeteries. The work carried out to date indicates that a relatively small number of reserved plots are affected and require further review before future burial use can be confirmed.”
As a precaution, and to ensure all burials continue to be managed lawfully and with appropriate respect, the sale and reservation of new burial plots remains paused, requests for interments relating to reserved plots are being considered on an individual basis, and the council will continue to work closely with funeral directors to accommodate new interments wherever possible.
The authority added: “The council is continuing to seek specialist advice to confirm the most appropriate way forward and to develop clear procedures for future management.
“We are currently in the process of contacting those plot holders whose reserved graves have been identified as affected so that individual circumstances can be discussed directly and people can be kept informed as this work progresses.
“We would also like to reassure residents that, based on the experience of those who have carried out burials at the cemetery over many years, there have been no known instances of graves being knowingly disturbed during previous interments.”
They added: “We understand this situation may be concerning for residents and families. Please be assured that the council is handling this matter carefully, sensitively and respectfully, and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”