Pause on new burials remains in place at Caistor cemetery

Caistor Town Council recently completed a ground penetrating radar survey of sections of the right hand side of North Kelsey Road Cemetery to assess the location of historic burials and the availability of plots.

Announcing the pause in December, the council said its survey found historic, unmarked burials in areas in areas previously thought to be empty, including previously reserved plots. These burials have not yet been dated but it is thought that they are from mid 18th to mid 19th century, says the council, when record-keeping may have been more limited or inconsistent.

As they are not on existing records, the council must avoid disturbing human remains and comply with the law. It could not confirm if, historically, people had been buried on top of older graves and was taking specialist advice.

A council statement said: “The left-hand side of the cemetery contains mostly recorded interments and reserved plots, but the council cannot currently confirm that historic unmarked burials are absent in this area.

“As a result, no new burials can safely proceed anywhere in the cemetery at this time. The council is taking legal advice to ensure that any future decisions comply with relevant laws, including the Burial Act 1857, and that historic graves are treated with respect."

They went on: “The council recognises that this may affect families with recently deceased loved ones or those with reserved plots. We are committed to supporting families through alternative arrangements, including interment of ashes elsewhere or delayed burial; handling all interments with the utmost respect; and providing updates to residents once a long-term plan for the cemetery is in place."

Councillors met on January 8 for an update and agreed next steps including appointing a group to liaise with the clerk.