Sheffield cemeteries review to tackle lack of burial space

Sheffield is running out of burial space at cemeteries

A long-awaited review of burial sites in Sheffield is being launched to ensure there is enough space over the next 25 years.

Sheffield City Council says cemeteries are becoming full due to a lack of forward planning, little investment and no clear funding direction.

The council estimates there is enough space for around five years before capacity is reached in some cemeteries.

It has now launched a citywide consultation.

Councillor Richard Williams, chair of the communities, parks and leisure committee, said: "Our goal is to devise an ambitious and far-reaching plan that will support our growing city long after we're gone.

"Whilst it's not imminent, we know that our existing burial space will eventually get to capacity at our existing cemeteries."

Mr Williams said the local authority was keen to find new land on which to build modern and greener cemeteries as well as improve facilities and provisions at current sites.

Tinsley Park Cemetery has already closed to new burials as there is no way to expand the land around it, the council said.

'Sad state of affairs'

Members of the city's Muslim community have been lobbying the council for two years and collected a petition with 1,200 names.

Campaigners said the lack of burial facilities was concerning as cremation was forbidden in Islam.

One campaigner, Abid Hussain, said: "There's around 500 estimated spaces at Shiregreen, 200 at Abbey Lane and 900 at City Road. After that we run out.

"That's very alarming and is a sad state of affairs for the families."

Sheffield City Council is responsible for 16 cemeteries, one garden of remembrance and two crematoria.

Around 3,000 cremations and 800 burials take place across these sites each year.