Rutherglen Reformer

LOSING THE PLOT

Cemetery running out of space

- JONATHAN GEDDES

Ruglonians face the prospect of not being buried in their hometown cemetery when they die – because it’s rapidly running out of plots.

The coronaviru­s pandemic has accelerate­d a growing lack of availabili­ty in Rutherglen cemetery.

Unlike some other local authoritie­s such as neighbouri­ng North Lanarkshir­e, South Lanarkshir­e Council is refusing to sell plots in advance, so some locals fear they won’t be able to be buried near to loved ones when they die.

Rutherglen resident Geraldine Baird, 70, contacted the Reformer to express her concerns.

A proud Ruglonian, Geraldine wishes to be buried near to her parents in Mill Street when she passes away.

In a letter she sent to the council, Geraldine explained: “I dearly wish to be buried in Rutherglen.

“My problem is that there are no family spaces available to me in our lair in Mill Street cemetery.

“As you know lairs are available when there is a need and you cannot buy them before that. If I cannot buy one now I may well be alone. I might not get buried in Rutherglen which would mean I would not be near any of my relatives, especially my mum and dad.

“I would be so sad, indeed bereft, not to be laid to rest in Rutherglen.

“Please let me know if I can resolve this and not have to concern myself with the worry of burial in some strange area away from my loved ones.”

However, South Lanarkshir­e Council has stressed that there is currently nothing it can do as it can no longer sell plots in advance.

Geraldine said: “I know the council do not want to distinguis­h between people based on where they are from, but it’s a shame that people with local connection­s are going to miss out on their final resting place.

“It would mean a lot to me as I’ve lived my life in Rutherglen – hopefully it will be some time away but it’s upsetting to think of not being with my family. I am sure there are many others who feel the same as I do.”

There have been more thah 300 coronaviru­s-related deaths in South Lanarkshir­e since March.

Plans for a new cemetery opposite South Lanarkshir­e Crematoriu­m in Blantyre were scuppered earlier this year after it was discovered that the site didn’t meet SEPA guidelines.

Head of facilities, waste and grounds services, Alistair McKinnon, said: “We are aware of the reducing availabili­ty across all council-managed cemeteries, particular­ly as the effects of the current coronaviru­s take effect.

“We continue to investigat­e availabili­ty of suitable land across a range of areas.

“With regards to Rutherglen Cemetery, we can confirm there is limited availabili­ty of new plots. However, it should be remembered that in common with all our cemeteries, many families have purchased lairs which can allow for several burials in the one plot.

“Across South Lanarkshir­e, when there is limited availabili­ty for plots, we do not sell them in advance. This is currently the case with Rutherglen Cemetery.

“We do not ask for a connection to a particular area when someone requests to be buried in one of our cemeteries. While we appreciate people may wish to be buried in the area they most recently lived, sometimes this is not possible for a variety of reasons, including space.

“While the council takes every opportunit­y to continue to provide burial ground in a number of towns and villages across South Lanarkshir­e our legal obligation is to provide one burial ground within the area of the local authority.”

 ??  ?? Grave concern Geraldine Baird wants to be buried in her hometown
Limited lairs Rutherglen Cemetery
Grave concern Geraldine Baird wants to be buried in her hometown Limited lairs Rutherglen Cemetery
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