Graves in a British cemetery could be reused to make space for future burials.
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is preparing to repurpose historic burial plots in its Old Cemetery.
Officials warn that available space for new interments could be exhausted within the next 10 years.
The Hertfordshire authority has secured approval from the Diocese of St Albans to begin reusing graves dating back to before 1949.
Several of the plots date back to the Victorian era.
The council is understood to be unique among local authorities beyond the capital in obtaining such powers through a diocesan faculty combined with the Bishop’s Stortford Cemetery Act 2024.
This means they can bypass the need for central government authorisation.
Any burial site with a recorded interment after December 31 1949, will remain untouched under the scheme.
Several of the plots date back to the Victorian era (stock image)
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The authority has released details of over one thousand burial records from approximately 900 graves that may be subject to the reuse programme.
Among those whose resting places could potentially be disturbed are infants and stillborn children who passed away during the mid-19th century.
The town council has published a notice on its website stating that the “powers are subject to certain conditions and protections for relatives of the deceased”.
Officials have pledged that reopening graves in designated reuse areas will be conducted “with the utmost dignity, due care, and diligence” given the likelihood of encountering skeletal remains.
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is preparing to repurpose historic burial plots in its Old Cemetery
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Where feasible, such work will take place before the cemetery opens to visitors each day.
However, the council acknowledged some operations may need to continue during regular hours.
Gravediggers have been instructed to “maintain dignity at all times” and to remain mindful that visitors to nearby plots may find the work distressing.
The council has confirmed that any disturbed remains will be reinterred within the same grave where they were discovered.
Several of the plots date back to the Victorian era (stock image)
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Authorities have committed to making every reasonable effort to trace and contact descendants before proceeding with any grave that has stood for more than 75 years.
Family members wishing to preserve a relative’s burial site have until October to register their opposition with the council.
This would protect the plot from being repurposed for at least 25 years.
The scheme does not extend to any graves maintained under the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the council has confirmed.