Newark Town Council approved plans to only allow Newark residents to be buried in Newark Cemetery in order to expand current lifespan of cemetery

Big changes are coming to Newark Cemetery to help expand its lifespan.

Newark Town Council has decided only Newark residents will be allowed to be buried at the cemetery - unless there are exceptional circumstances.

A working group was set up last year to investigate burial provisions in the town and make plans for Newark Cemetery, which the council has responsibility for, after it was found it might only be seven years away from reaching capacity.

During discussions at the council’s finance and general purposes committee meeting a number of proposals and amendments were put forward to fundamentally change the way in which the cemetery is used.

Residents and non-residents currently pay separate rates, with non-resident costs double that of Newark residents.

Initially it was proposed that this should be quadrupled - then the idea of stopping non-resident burials was put forward.

Lisa Geary, said: “Because of the rate of adult burials and the limited life span of Newark Cemetery, I would suggest that Newark Cemetery is only for Newark residents.”

Mathew Spoors agreed, saying “If we are trying to put non-residents off using the cemetery, why not just say they can’t use it?

“It is fairer to say we don’t have room than increase costs by four times.”

The town clerk confirmed that this would extend the cemetery’s current lifespan, although a review would have to take place in order to determine by how much.

The council also made another significant change to the cemetery pay structure by making all burials and interments of cremated remains free of charge for residents under the age of 18.

Mathew Skinner said he would be uncomfortable charging under 18s, who he still saw as being children.

Esther Cropper, said “The number of children affected per year is thankfully very low. This is about compassion more than any financial implications to us.”

Neil Ross, added: “Losing a child can be an immensely difficult time for a parent, so not adding a charge to that grief is commendable.”

Non-residents will still be allowed to be buried at the London Road cemetery under exceptional circumstances and subject to appeal, which will be at the council’s discretion.

If given special permission under the new guidance, non-resident child burials would see a 10% increase on current rates, going up to £670 — still birth and children under one month will be free of charge.

All other services for adults over 18 will increase by 20% rounded to the nearest £10, meaning burials will go from £553 to £660 for residents, and from £1,106 to £1,280 for non-residents.

Members voted to approve the proposals, which would see half of the 20% increase ring-fenced for investigation into ways to extend the life of the cemetery.

Additionally, memorial plaques on benches will drop from £360 to £150 in order to encourage uptake, and triple depth graves will now no longer be offered — this change will only affect new graves, and current triple depth graves will be honoured.

Although very rare, the cost of exhumations will increase to £4,000 to bring Newark in line with other authorities and cover contractor fees.

What do you think of the decision? Let us know.