RIP for 75 years (then expect a roommate in your cemetery)

Published on Wednesday 14 July 2010 19:04

IT is supposed to be the final resting place where after a life of upheaval we are left in peace and solitude for all eternity.

• With space at a premium the Kirk has backed plans to 'lift and deepen' burial sites – effectively double-decking the dead. Picture: TSPL

But in a world where space is of a premium, not even the grave is sacred.

The Church of Scotland has backed controversial Scottish Government plans to "lift and deepen" burial sites, effectively double-decking the dead.

The proposal is part of a consultation aimed at tackling the shortage of cemetery land by allowing councils to remove human remains after they have been buried for more than 75 years and rebury them at a greater depth to free up space above.

The Kirk's response described the plans as "reasonable and respectful", paving the way for it to become a reality at many cemeteries across Scotland.

Reverend Ian Galloway, convener of the church and society council at the Church of Scotland, said: "It's a matter that has to be dealt with with great sensitivity, but if it's handled respectfully we certainly are not against the possibility.

"The reasons that have been given for it are serious reasons. This is not just someone's wild idea, it's a reasoned approach.

"Given that a lot of people still choose burial (over cremation] there is a shortage of land and we need to look at what to do."

However, the plans have been strongly opposed by other denominations and faiths.

The Catholic Church of Scotland did not respond to the consultation, as many of its cemeteries are privately owned.

However, it does oppose the plans on behalf of Catholics buried in public cemeteries.

A spokesman said: "It would make more sense to extend existing cemeteries than to interfere with existing burial plots."

The Free Church of Scotland previously called the plans a "desecration".

Reverend Alex MacDonald, one of the Free Church's spokesmen, said: "That would still be our position."

He added he would be "concerned" if the Church of Scotland's acceptance led to members of his own church, in mixed cemeteries, having to share their graves.

Leah Granat, public affairs officer for the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, said: "Respect for someone's body after death is very, very important. When every respect and attention is given to someone awaiting burial, once they have been buried they should not be disturbed. Burial should be the final resting place."

The Jewish faith says the body is sacrosanct and should not be moved, even after death. Many Jews believe people should be buried on the day they die and not moved thereafter.

In the consultation, when asked about reusing graves the Muslim Council of Scotland said "only when necessary".

Salah Beltagui, convener of the Muslim Council of Scotland, said this would only extend to relatives. He added: "This (adding non family members] would not be acceptable."

The consultation, which received 102 responses from faith groups, local authorities, the funeral industry and academics, also proposed replacing the cost of cremations from the current 142 to a more modest fee, creating a small number of medical investigators to scrutinise the death certification processes, and broadening the group of people who can verify a person is dead, to include trained clinical staff, such as nurses and paramedics.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "This analysis focuses on the area of death certification, other proposals contained within the consultation will be responded to in due course.".