Old graves plots may be re-used

A church in the Black Country is planning to re-use parts of its grounds for burials because of growing demand for space, it was revealed today.

The move by Holy Trinity Church in Wolverhampton would allow unmarked graves more than 50 years old to be made available again. If given the go ahead, the plan would see burials resume in the grounds of the church in Heath Town for the first time in around 20 years. Church leaders have come up with the idea to help tackle falling burial spaces.

Leaders also say they have received a number of requests from parishioners to be laid to rest there.

Rev David Vestergaard, vicar of Holy Trinity, said today the church council and congregation had been carefully considering this option and now wanted to consult more widely with residents.

"I'm aware that quite a number of people living in this area would like the opportunity to be buried in the churchyard," he said. "For a number of years we've not been able to offer this facility as the churchyard has been full.

"However the graves in the area around the church have now reached an age where many of them could be re-used. Because of the desire expressed by some to be buried here, we would like to re-use the older part of the churchyard.

"We hope to be able to serve local people in this way at a fraction of the cost of burial in the civic cemeteries."

Church leaders say the practice is very common in older churches such as Holy Trinity which was built in 1852.

It would only affect the area known as the 'old ground' immediately around the church, and would not include graves that have a headstone or memorial, or which have more recent burials. No remains would be exhumed.

As over-burial is a standard practice in churchyards, the decision will be taken by the vicar in consultation with church council.

Anybody wishing to comment on the proposals should write to Rev Vestergaard, at the vicarage in Bushbury Road by Christmas Eve.