Issue - meetings

This report proposes updates to the Burial Policy for Epsom Cemetery, including the extension of expiring grave leases for an additional 25 years, an adjustment of the standard lease duration from 40 to 75 years, and the halting of both the sale of 11-foot graves and the practice of pre-purchasing graves.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Agree to extend expiring grave leases for an additional 25 years, with charges set at £350 for residents and £500 for non-residents as from 1 April 2025.

(2)          Agree to adjust the standard lease duration from 40 year to 75 years, with a 15% increase in current charges as from 1 April 2025.

(3)          Agree to halt the sale of graves for future use effective immediately.

(4)          Agree to halt the sale of 11 foot graves effective immediately.

The Committee received a report proposing updates to the Burial Policy for Epsom Cemetery, including the extension of expiring grave leases for an additional 25 years, an adjustment of the standard lease duration from 40 to 75 years, and the halting of both the sale of 11-foot graves and the practice of pre-purchasing graves.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Amendment to Wording of Recommendation 3. The Chair proposed that the wording of recommendation 3 be amended to remove ‘pre-purchasing’, for the purpose of clarity. The proposal was seconded by the Vice-Chair. Subsequently, the Committee unanimously agreed to amend the wording as proposed.

b)            Contacting Grave Leaseholders. In response to a question from a Member, the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) explained that reasonable steps are taken to contact leaseholders, when necessary, via contact details held on record such as email, postal address and phone number, and where no contact details are on record a written notice is left at the grave for 6-month period.

c)            Historic Pre-Purchases. In response to a question from a Member, the Chair confirmed that any historic pre-purchases on graves would be honoured – however, should the Committee agree to recommendation 3, no further pre-purchases would be sold.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Agree to extend expiring grave leases for an additional 25 years, with charges set at £350 for residents and £500 for non-residents as from 1 April 2025.

(2)          Agree to adjust the standard lease duration from 40 year to 75 years, with a 15% increase in current charges as from 1 April 2025.

(3)          Agree to halt the sale of graves for future use effective immediately.

(4)          Agree to halt the sale of 11 foot graves effective immediately.