Sheffield Cemetery Addresses Waterlogged Burial Plots

Efforts are currently being made to address the issue of waterlogged burial plots at a Sheffield cemetery, prompted by concerns from grieving individuals. In August, reports emerged from plot holders at Shiregreen Cemetery indicating flooding, which necessitated the pumping of water from graves prior to new burials. Sheffield City Council, the entity responsible for the cemetery’s management, announced plans to introduce new concrete-lined graves and to divert surface water. The South Yorkshire Muslim Bereavement Trust expressed approval of these developments, though its members voiced apprehension about potential similar problems in other cemeteries. After receiving reports concerning the problem, which had impacted the area of the cemetery designated for Islamic burials, the council implemented a pump for water removal and initiated a hydrological survey. Mahmood Hussain, the trust’s chair, stated: “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.” In traditional Muslim burials, the coffin is placed within a bottomless concrete vault; the council indicated this practice might impede water flow through the ground. To mitigate surface run-off, new graves are now being excavated on elevated terrain and incorporate a layer of permeable pea gravel, designed to facilitate water passage into a drainage channel that leads to a natural soakaway. Councillor Kurtis Crossland, who chairs the communities, parks and leisure policy committee, commented: “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 dismissed claims that water originated from “below graves,” asserting that burial plots would not be utilized if the water table were encountered. Sheffield City Council affirmed its commitment to keeping the community informed and stated that all implemented measures would undergo review to verify their efficacy.