Have your say on future of cemeteries

One in three cemeteries in Argyll and Bute which currently have lairs is expected to be full within 10 years, a report has revealed.

 

The council has started a consultation among residents on a review of cemetery services in the area which involves plans to extend only eight of the remaining 64 facilities which have lairs available.

 

The eight cemeteries in question are the main ones in Bute, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, Oban, Islay and Mull, and one will also be identified in Campbeltown and Kintyre.

 

Other proposals featured in the consultation include no new lairs being offered in the 67 cemeteries currently regarded as closed in Argyll and Bute.

 

Respondents are also asked whether they have a preference on being buried or cremated when they themselves pass away.

 

It is anticipated that options will take 10 years to implement, and the consultation is open via the council’s website until Friday, February 26.

 

Records show there are currently just over 8,000 lairs available for sale in Argyll and Bute - 2,687 in Helensburgh and Lomond, 2,360 in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, 1,942 in Oban, Lorn and the Isles, and 1,035 in Bute and Cowal.

 

An additional 1,439 have been sold but remain unused more than 70 years later. Over half of them are in Helensburgh and Lomond.

 

The report also stated that over the next 10 years, the council hopes to have a target of at least 10 years’ burial capacity at all open cemeteries.

 

Development and extension at the other 56 open cemeteries will only stop once all lairs have been filled.

 

The report added information on the council’s hope for community involvement in the upkeep of cemeteries across the region.

 

It states: 'Argyll and Bute, like other Scottish local authorities, is experiencing budget cuts and reduced resources.'

 

As part of a solution to the upkeep of their cemeteries, various Highland councillors and volunteers have supported their local authority by cutting and strimming grass in their local cemeteries which, according to the report, has had 'very positive' community feedback.

 

The report adds: 'Argyll and Bute Council feels it would worthwhile engaging with local communities to gauge their views on whether there would be sufficient community volunteer support to assist in the upkeep of our cemeteries.

 

'[This] will in turn identify a sustainable method of balancing community burial needs with our statutory duty in line with best value and reductions to funding.'