*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Against allowing grave spaces to be reserved

by
17 April 2015

iStock

From Jill Tizzard

Sir, - Further to the report "Reserved grave space: ruling" (News, 10 April): in 2011, my aunt, aged 90, was buried in a small village in Hampshire, where she had lived throughout her life. The plot was situated in a parish-council-run cemetery, which abuts the local churchyard. (When space ran out in the churchyard, ground was acquired by the council, which now administer both areas.)

Two weeks after the committal, I was contacted, to be told that my aunt had inadvertently been buried in a reserved grave, and the body would have to be exhumed. Despite being offered alternative adjacent plots, the family, who had reserved the space, insisted on their rights, and we were advised that we had little choice but to comply.

Members of our family asked to be present when the body was moved, but, on arriving at the given time, found that a mini digger had already been employed, and that the coffin, which had been damaged, had been placed in the new grave.

Obviously, distress was caused not only to members of our family, but also to those who had reserved the plot, and to the unfortunate person who had mistakenly allocated the original plot.

I hope that this letter might further explain, to any who feel aggrieved at being unable to reserve burial plots, the wisdom of the Grappenhall PCC's decision.

Jill Tizzard
Chy Tresor, Cambrian Way
Blaenannerch
Cardigan
Ceredigion SA43 2BW

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Letters to the editor

Letters for publication should be sent to letters@churchtimes.co.uk.

Letters should be exclusive to the Church Times, and include a full postal address. Your name and address will appear below your letter unless requested otherwise.

Forthcoming Events

 

Festival of Preaching: Preaching Truth to Power

13 September 2025

Join us at London's Southwark Cathedral for this one-day event — a transformative gathering of bold voices, prophetic vision, and Spirit-led conviction..

tickets available

 

Finding inspiration in the Psalms : a Church Times one day festival

2 October 2025

Join us in York for this one-day event exploring the gift of the Psalms through poetry, art, liturgy and music.

tickets available

  


Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

The Church Times Archive

Read reports from issues stretching back to 1863, search for your parish or see if any of the clergy you know get a mention.

FREE for Church Times subscribers.

Explore the archive

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)