Mourners in Wales may have to buy a licence to sit in graveyards

MOURNERS could be asked to “pay while you pray” at a series of cemeteries in south Wales in order to fund new graveside benches.

Seven graveyards in Blaenau Gwent have been without benches for four years following several personal injury claims by people who fell through them. Now the council has suggested new graveside benches for an “improved visitor experience”.

However, a report by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council stated that relatives of the deceased would help pay for the new seating areas by introducing a licence fee for the graveyards. “Poorly manufactured and maintained benches donated by bereaved family members have resulted in several successful insurance claims against the council,” the report said.

It added that the council did not have the necessary resources to purchase and install benches. “As such there is now a lack of benches within cemeteries to allow visitors to sit and reflect on the loss of loved ones,” it said.

“By introducing a memorial bench donation licence scheme, benches can be installed and maintained appropriately within cemeteries, improving the visitor experience.”

The proposal will be discussed at the council’s executive committee later this week. However, one relative accused the council chief of “losing the plot” by suggesting the cemetery licence scheme.

“This is a minefield – what can you do if someone is grieving but doesn’t have a licence,” he said. “Can you fine them? This is not like watching TV or getting a fishing licence.”

Julie Dunk, chief executive of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, said memorial bench schemes where people pay to have a seat installed have “existed for some time”.

She added: “If it means the cemetery can be better maintained by the council I think it is a good idea.”