The controversial dismantling of headstones could go ahead in 16 more cemeteries across Dumfries and Galloway – despite a huge outcry from upset relatives.
Council chiefs are proposing that the “socketing” of old gravestones continues for public safety reasons.
When this was done to 1,140 memorials in 2020 and 2021, it sparked a furious reaction from relatives of those buried.
And it prompted one, David Drife of Penpont, to instruct his solicitor to take legal action against the authority for damage to family headstones in Sanquhar Cemetery.
The pensioner was yesterday stunned to hear the council is planning on using the same methods to remove headstones - and claimed socketing gravestones is preventing families from having relatives buried in the same plot.
He said: “This is shocking. Who is going to be doing the work?
“I’ve been in regular contact with a professional who says they are disturbing human remains with this work.
“And they are blocking future burials by socketing headstones into the ground at the burial plot.
“At the cemetery last year, I saw an old lady crying at a graveside saying: ‘This is where my coffin was going to be, now there’s no room’.”
Despite the furore, a report will be tabled at the communities committee next Thursday calling for councillors to allow socketing to continue when the safety project resumes.
The report states: “The safety of our communities and staff is paramount and there is a need to ensure that this project is fully complete as soon as possible and so the necessary preparatory work is well progressed on the remaining cemeteries.”
These cemeteries are: Sanquhar Churchyard; New Abbey; Newton Stewart Old Cemetery; Stranraer Sheuchan; Whithorn, St Ninian’s; Castle Douglas Cemetery Old; Dalbeattie Cemetery Old; Kirkcudbright Old Cemetery; Minnigaff Churchyard; Newton Stewart, St Couans; Portpatrick Old Cemetery; Portpatrick St Andrew’s; Stranraer, Glebe; Stranraer, St Andrew’s; Whithorn Churchyard; and Wigtown, St Machutus.
Work is being done in cemeteries across Scotland to make old gravestones safe following the death of an eight-year-old boy in 2015 due to a falling headstone.
An assessment of Dumfries and Galloway’s 205 cemeteries showed that 31 of them were of high or very high risk.
Remedial works were carried out in 15 cemeteries in phases one and two, however the poor communication with relatives and methods used have caused much controversy.
Signs were placed at cemetery entrances, however council chiefs admitted no efforts were made to contact relatives directly.
In response to complaints, big changes are being proposed when dealing with the remaining 16 cemeteries.
It is proposed that relatives are written to in advance and, if lair holders cannot be reached, contact will be made with funeral directors or stonemasons to try and trace them.
Discussions will also be held with relevant ward councillors to discuss cemetery projects, the next steps involved, and monthly progress updates are to be provided.
Notification letters will also be sent to community councils, local organisations, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to inform them of the project and reasons for progressing work.
The council report states: “Signage will be displayed throughout cemeteries at entrances, water areas, and benches, etc to confirm that work is due to commence, this will include details of work and contact details for further information.
“This will be at least 28 days in advance of any work commencing.”
It is also being proposed that a dedicated webpage is set up, which will include ongoing work and photos of work undertaken where appropriate.
