What rights do living relations have regarding headstones

[LizzieW]

I posted a couple of photos on another site, showing where my grandad is buried in Allenvale Cemetery, Aberdeen.. Unfortunately, my grandad didn't have a stone, but his grave is registered with the council, who very kindly, in less than a week and at no cost to me, found the grave reference and sent a map to me.  I was able to give this to someone in Scotland, his website is

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/nescotland/

and he took some photos for me.  He tells me that despite Allenvale being close to the city centre it is a well-maintained and quiet place. There are full-time gardeners there and it always looks in splendid condition.

This is how a cemetery should be kept.

Liz

[JoJoBuggins]

   Most definitely

and there all stood upright, obviously very well maintained, thats what we want to see more of

Jo

[KathMc]

This is all so disturbing. I wonder how these people pushing for the destruction of these cemeteries would feel if they had family buried there.

I have been working with the town historian in the town where one of my gggrandparents settled (in the States). The cemetery they are likely buried in was bulldozed years ago, but this gentleman says no one will admit to it. It's interesting, they know they did something REALLY wrong, yet went ahead and did it and then cover it up. There will be no hope for me to find anything.

Kath

[JoJoBuggins]

I'm beginning to wonder if someone was pushing me to go to see the headstones, because we wern't intending to go.

Makes me that if I had left it any later, there would have been nothing.

Both me and my cousin when told about this planning application said
 "They can't do that, our ancestors are buried there." 

its like fighting a losing battle, but as my cousin said, to which I laughed
"We'll fight them on the beaches, We'll fight them in the air" etc to whatever else Winston Churchill said

Jo

[rancegal]

As people have had such trauma over their ancestors' graves, I thought I would tell you about my grandfather. I searched fruitlessly for his death, as I only knew he was dead by 1939, until as a last resort I emailed my local council to ask who kept the records of burials in the village where he lived after his marriage. They gave me details of someone on the local Parish Council, and this lovely man told me the date of my grandad's burial, who conducted the funeral, and who purchased the grave (cost: 8 shillings). He then offered to find the grave from his map (no headstone), and put a wooden marker on it. I was able to visit the grave and take a posy of flowers. I not only found what I wanted to know, but so much more, thanks to such kind, helpful people.

[KathMc]

As people have had such trauma over their ancestors' graves, I thought I would tell you about my grandfather. I searched fruitlessly for his death, as I only knew he was dead by 1939, until as a last resort I emailed my local council to ask who kept the records of burials in the village where he lived after his marriage. They gave me details of someone on the local Parish Council, and this lovely man told me the date of my grandad's burial, who conducted the funeral, and who purchased the grave (cost: 8 shillings). He then offered to find the grave from his map (no headstone), and put a wooden marker on it. I was able to visit the grave and take a posy of flowers. I not only found what I wanted to know, but so much more, thanks to such kind, helpful people.

Lovely story. It makes it all worth it. There are good people out there, willing to go the extra mile for you. In one cemetery I visited, for my ggg grandparents, we were given a personal escort by employees of the cemetery, as they were so worried we wouldn't be able to find the spot (huge cemetery in NYC). I didn't really expect to find anything, but the church who owned the plot had put up a new marker within the last 20 years with everyone's names on it. Not only did I find the 3 I knew would be there, but a daughter who was born and died between census who I never would have known about. I had a good cry there.

Kath

[JoJoBuggins]

Update on Stanley St Peters

my cousin has been in contact with the planning people, the agency for the company that want to buy the land and somebody from the Diocese of Wakefield.

According to the Agency for the company "There are no bodies buried in the Cemetery."

 If not then where are they, what is under the stones, GOLD?

And they will be preserving all the "mature trees"
what about the mature headstones, dont they need preserving!!!

On the plans it doesnt mention the graveyard at all, but they want to convert the Church to 16 flats, and the land beside (graveyard) 5 houses + gardens.

They say no headstones will be affected, my two are right against the wall of the church, laid flat in the pavement.

Apparently they have already in the past applied twice for permission to build, but have been refused, lets keep our fingers crossed that it happens again

The Diocese have told her that they will keep her informed of developments

Jo

[Inchworm]

Wasn't there a cholera epidemic once at Stanley St. Peters and all those that were buried had to have their graves untouched for 100 years. I have ancestors from that Parish and would like to know if the graves and stones are going to be moved. 

[ozlady]

The old cemetery at my ex-parish church looks like a rubbish dump. So many of the old headstones have just been bulldozed into one big heap! It's absolutely shameful.