Petition launched against plan to reuse graves

A consultation has been held on national plans to reuse burial plots

A woman who cares for her daughter's grave at a West Yorkshire cemetery has launched a petition against national plans to reuse burial grounds.

Existing graves could be reused to address burial space shortages in England and Wales, according to a Law Commission proposal.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition started by Christine Leeman, from Dewsbury, in objection to the plans.

The proposals can only go ahead after consultation with the public and with government approval. Kirklees Council currently has no plans for burial grounds to be reused.

Grave reuse is already allowed in some areas, including London, but the commission warned that other urban areas are at risk of running out of space.

The Law Commission - an independent body which reviews legislation in England and Wales - said current burial and cremation laws were out of date and "unsuitable for the modern world".

A report said: "Aspects of the law in its current state offer too little protection to people who bury or cremate their family and friends.

"Research also shows that there is a risk of burial space running out in the future, which is an issue that law reform could help to address."

At the moment, in areas where grave reuse is allowed, the original burial must have taken place at least 75 years ago.

If the family of a deceased person were to decline reuse of the grave, no further attempt could take place for another 25 years.

Christine Leeman said she was upset when she learned of the national proposals

Mrs Leeman, a trustee of the New Friends of Dewsbury Cemetery group, has been caring for graves in the town for more than a decade.

"I have 26 family members in here, including my daughter," she said.

"It is very important to me.

"It is very important to the people of Dewsbury."

Among the graves at Dewsbury Cemetery are 107 soldiers, including the recipient of a Victoria Cross, the family of comedian Stan Laurel and mill owners who shaped the fabric of the town.

Mrs Leeman said she was "furious" when she learned of the Law Commission's proposals.

"There is a lot of history here," she said.

"To even think about digging it up is unbelievable, it makes a mockery of the saying 'final resting place'."

Simon Roadnight believes land should be identified for future burials instead.

As part of their proposals, the Law Commission has called on members of the public, experts and those involved in the death care sector to share their views.

Chairman of the New Friends of Dewsbury Cemetery group, Simon Roadnight, said he felt the plans would "remove any dignity in death".

He said the priority should be on identifying viable land for future burial grounds.

"People have paid for these plots firmly believing this is going to be their final resting place," he said.

"With this proposal, it is their final resting place, so long as somebody else decrees it."

A national consultation on the proposals ended on 9 January.

The Law Commission will now use the responses to develop its final recommendations for reform, which will be published in a report.

Councillor Carole Pattison, leader of Kirklees Council, said the authority was "aware" of the consultation.

However, she said "there are no proposals for the reuse of burial grounds in Kirklees".

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