Work under way to tackle flooded graves

Work is under way to tackle waterlogged graves in a Sheffield cemetery following calls from distressed mourners.

In August, burial plot holders reported flooding in Shiregreen Cemetery and said water had to be pumped out from plots before they could be used for new interments.

Sheffield City Council, which manages the site, said new, concrete-lined graves would be provided and surface water redirected.

While the news was welcomed by the South Yorkshire Muslim Bereavement Trust, its members fear similar issues at other graveyards.

Following reports of the issue, which had been affecting the section of the cemetery that is reserved for Islamic burials, the council installed a pump to remove water and commissioned a hydrological survey.

The trust's chair, Mahmood Hussain, said: "We welcome the council's initial response to the drainage issues at Shiregreen and we are hoping that this will be followed in other cemeteries too, given the increase in rainfall we are experiencing year on year."

Traditional Muslim burials involve the coffin being placed inside a bottomless concrete vault, which the council said could contribute to water being blocked from flowing through the ground.

New graves are now dug on higher ground to reduce the risk of surface run-off and include a bed of permeable pea gravel which will allow water to easily flow through into a drainage channel leading to a natural soakaway.

Councillor Kurtis Crossland, chair of communities, parks and leisure policy committee said: "We are committed to ensuring that every resting place within all of our cemeteries are dignified and we want to reassure all of our communities that we provide a compassionate and respectful provision for everyone.

"Whilst this work is progressing, we have made several changes to reassure those who have concerns, including providing same day digging on weekdays where possible, and prioritising graves in the higher part of the burial plot."

The council rejected suggestions that water came from "below graves", saying burial plots would not be used if the water table was hit.

Sheffield City Council said it would keep the community updated and said any measures put in place would be reviewed to ensure they were working effectively.

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