Locals urged to check on potentially ‘unsafe’ family headstones
Stones that could pose a risk have been marked by the council
Dumfries & Galloway residents are being encouraged to check on the state of family graves, and take action to fix any unstable headstones, which have now been identified by the council.
Graves which have been deemed a potential hazard have been labelled with a yellow marker with contact details for the relevant council team.
Temporary graveyard signage also states “maintenance and repair of memorials/headstones is the responsibility of individual lairholders.”
The public are also being urged to check that their contact details are up to date, to ensure communication remains possible should families move away from the area.
Abbey ward Councillor Kim Lowe has been to see the extensive number of yellow labels at Dalbeattie Cemetery, and is urging others to make sure they know the condition of headstones for which they are responsible.
She says efforts are being made to ensure a safe space for people to visit and pay their respects, while limiting the possibility of accidents:
“Every headstone is being checked, and if there’s a fault, and whether it’s slightly wobbly or if it’s really dangerous it’s laid flat – the idea is that we want to make the burial grounds as safe as possible.”
Councillor Lowe says the process should be straightforward
“Any headstone that has an issue has a yellow marker tied around it. On that there is a number and a reference number to ring.
“They can find out if it’s something that’s very simple to fix or what needs to be done.
“For every single headstone there is a log for that. The aim is that we make every one safe, as much as it should be standing up, but in some cases that may not be possible.”
The work comes as Dumfries & Galloway Council near the end of their burial strategy consultation, which has seen a range of drop in sessions and focussed groups taking place across the region.
An online survey where people can share their views remains open until Friday.
It’s hoped the burial strategy will help manage and control the development of future burial sites in Dumfries & Galloway in a sympathetic and inclusive manner.