Cemetery plans to include natural burial site

Changes to cemeteries in Rotherham, including plans for natural burials and the preservation of historical graves, have been put forward.

Dignity, which is contracted by Rotherham Council to operate the borough’s cemeteries and crematorium, has outlined projects it hopes will take place over the next three years.

In its annual report, the firm said a natural burial site would be established within East Herringthorpe Cemetery, rather than at Greasbrough Lane as previously proposed.

It said it would refurbish the old office block at East Herringthorpe, adding toilets, vending machines and a community event space.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Dignity had planned to demolish the office block but decided to refurbish it after a consultation.

Dignity is working on a project to restore memorials that have fallen into poor condition, particularly those with local significance and no living owners.

Local historians and Friends Of groups will be involved in the preservation efforts, with work set to begin once a new memorial technician is appointed, the report said.

Dignity said it had made improvements to the Muslim section of East Herringthorpe Cemetery, by installing handrails and extra taps. It plans to carry out further landscaping next year.

The company said it was also collaborating with local artists and families on a project called “Letters for Heaven,” which will be part of the baby section.

Other ideas being considered include the installation of beehives at East Herringthorpe Cemetery, and the addition of remembrance plaques for babies buried in unmarked graves.

Plans to add plaques for the miners who lost their lives in the Maltby Mining Disaster are in the early stages, it added.

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