Restoration brings cemetery headstones back from dead

Published on Friday 6 February 2009 09:01

A CEMETERY is being returned to its former glory as staff put in extra hours to restore hundreds of fallen gravestones.

Around 600 stones in Seafield Cemetery had fallen into disrepair or been laid on the ground for health and safety reasons.

But now managers and ground staff have stepped up efforts to resurrect the stones and give them new, secure bases.

They have already repaired nearly half of them and hope to complete the project over the next year.

The move has been welcomed by local people and visitors. They say the work has dramatically improved the cemetery.

Jim Nickerson, general manager of Edinburgh Crematorium Ltd, said there had been several reasons why the stones had been laid flat in the past.

He said: "Some of the stones have come down with age. There is also a health and safety directive, saying any headstones that are unsafe should be laid flat. Children have been killed in some cemeteries in the past when they were playing on headstones.

"Once they have been put down, it costs money to put them up again."

The project started four years ago when a memorial mason was hired to put some of them back up. He was working on land belonging to the cemetery and put up the stones instead of paying rent.

They ended up employing him on a full-time basis. When he had spare time, he worked with other staff to restore the stones.

Mr Nickerson said: "We've put up 28 stones this week. I think they're enjoying doing it. At times they've been battered with rain and snow but they are keen to keep going.

"Last month, we resurrected 60 fallen headstones. This not only improves the appearance of the cemetery but also makes information available again to people who are researching family trees or are just interested in local history.

"We've had really good feedback from regular visitors."

The cost of the project has been around 3000. All the stones have been given new concrete bases and foundations to ensure there is no chance of them falling down.

Reverend Ian Gilmour, of South Leith Parish Church, said he regularly walks past the cemetery and had noticed the improvement.

He said: "By and large, Seafield Cemetery is well-kept, but the fallen headstones gave it an untidy and unprepossessing appearance. The fact they are being restored and cleaned is a mark of respect to the deceased and their families.

"It's also appreciated by the whole community."