Safety checks on cemetery memorials

COUNCIL officers at Warrington are to carry out safety checks on memorial stones at a local cemetery.
The work will start at Burtonwood Cemetery on Tuesday, August 26 and could last for up to a week.
If a memorial is judged to be unsafe it will be cordoned off – and it some cases “wobbly” head stones could be laid flat.
But a spokesperson for the council’s Bereavement Services department stressed that this practice was rare and only used as a last resort.
The spokesperson said: “We understand it may cause upset when unsafe memorials are addressed, but we have a duty to take appropriate action to deal with a potential threat to the public when visiting our facilities.”
Similar safety surveys have been carried out at a number of cemeteries across the borough resulting in a number of complaints from families.
Warrington Cemetery, in Manchester Road, required a large number of memorial stones to be laid flat and the action resulted in several complaints from grieving families.
The council spokesperson said contact details for a significant percentage of grave owners would have changed over the years.
“we would like to take this opportunity not only to inform the community of the inspection process, but to request that they contact the bereavement service as soon as possible to ensure our records are updated.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public that when visiting a cemetery they should keep to the footpaths where possible, avoid walking between memorials and keep children supervised at all times.
Further information on existing graves in the cemetery can be obtaining from the Bereavement Services department on 01925 267731