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Oxford could run out of graves by 2021, council warns Oxford could run out of graves by 2021, council warns
(1 day later)
A city council has warned it could run out of places to bury people by 2021.A city council has warned it could run out of places to bury people by 2021.
Only one of Oxford's four cemeteries has available plots, and the authority is now considering reclaiming unused space in existing grave plots. Only one of Oxford's four cemeteries has available plots, and the authority has now decided to reclaim unused space in existing grave plots.
The council has proposed grave reclamation, where it has a right to re-bury in a grave but not to disturb the existing human remains. On Wednesday the council voted in favour of grave reclamation, where it has a right to re-bury in a grave but not to disturb existing human remains.
If councillors vote in favour, grave diggers would dig up to 6in above where there were any existing remains. Grave diggers are now able to dig up to 6in above any existing remains and use the space as another burial plot.
They would then use this space as another burial plot.
Labour councillor Louise Upton said: "Some people will be totally comfortable with that, some people will be horrified.Labour councillor Louise Upton said: "Some people will be totally comfortable with that, some people will be horrified.
"We can give people the choice.""We can give people the choice."
An Oxford City Council report said it could run out of graves in the city by 2021.An Oxford City Council report said it could run out of graves in the city by 2021.
It said even if space could be found for a new cemetery, it would take up to five years to develop.It said even if space could be found for a new cemetery, it would take up to five years to develop.
Grave reclamation could also mean reclaiming purchased grave sites which have not been used 75 years after they were bought. Grave reclamation could also mean reusing purchased grave sites which have not been used 75 years after they were bought.
The report says Bournemouth Borough Council has used the practice for more than 50 years, and the London boroughs of Wandsworth and Croydon recently began grave reclamation.The report says Bournemouth Borough Council has used the practice for more than 50 years, and the London boroughs of Wandsworth and Croydon recently began grave reclamation.
Cemetery manager Laura Harlock and open spaces manager Stuart Fitzsimmons wrote: "Without this immediate action, in two years time Oxford could potentially be the first authority to have no place for their residents to be buried."Cemetery manager Laura Harlock and open spaces manager Stuart Fitzsimmons wrote: "Without this immediate action, in two years time Oxford could potentially be the first authority to have no place for their residents to be buried."
The proposed doubling up of grave plots could also help tackle funeral poverty, the report added.The proposed doubling up of grave plots could also help tackle funeral poverty, the report added.
Currently a grave plot costs £1,579, but previously excavated graves could be purchased by families at a lower cost.Currently a grave plot costs £1,579, but previously excavated graves could be purchased by families at a lower cost.
The proposal is due to be voted on by the city council later.