Have your say on cemetery services
One in three cemeteries in Argyll and Bute which currently have lairs are expected to be full within 10 years, a report has revealed.
An online 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, was launched earlier this month.
The cemeteries in question are the main ones in Bute, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, Oban, Islay and Mull while 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 options will take 10 years to implement, and the consultation is open via the council’s website until Friday February 26.
A report accompanying the consultation said: ‘Action is now needed to allow a planned and sustainable cemetery portfolio which delivers best value across Argyll and Bute. Without effective planning, we will have areas with far more burial lairs available than others.’
Records show that currently there are just over 8,000 lairs available for sale in Argyll and Bute including 1,942 in Oban, Lorn and the Isles and 2,360 in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.
An additional 1,439 have been sold but remain unused more than 70 years later.
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.
Volunteers
‘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 feel it would worthwhile engaging with our 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.’
Island residents have their own concerns and are keen to be part of the wider consultation.
Dr Mandie Currie, secretary of Lismore Community Council, said: ‘We did highlight to the council more than a year ago the fact the graveyard was reaching capacity.
‘We are currently discussing options for extending the graveyard with the council and other relevant organisations and we are determined to find a suitable solution.’
While Andrena Duffin, secretary of Mull Community Council, commented: ‘Our council workers here do a wonderful job, even in the remoter cemeteries, and we hope they can find the means to continue.
‘We have many visitors coming to trace ancestors so it is important they find places well kept.’
To take part in the consultation visit the argyll-bute.gov. uk website.