Action to update Sheffield Muslim burial services as part of cemeteries review
Work has begun to update Sheffield’s Muslim burial services following concerns that plots will run out and graves were being flooded.
The work is taking place as part of an overall review by Sheffield City Council of its citywide burial and cremation provision.
A meeting of the communities, parks and leisure policy committee yesterday (March 23) heard that there have been initial discussions with the Sheffield Muslim Bereavement Partnership Forum (SMBPF), residents and faith organisations.
Wider public consultation will follow and a plan will be finalised this year and enacted in 2027. The aim is to do the review once and do it well, councillors were told.
The bereavement and coronial (coroner-related) services department is also comparing the council’s plan against what is offered in other areas, said service head Ellie Fraser.
Members of the city’s Muslim community have raised concerns at council meetings about the supply of land for burial plots, which is set to run out in five to seven years.
Flooding
They also lobbied for work to take place to stop graves being flooded at Shiregreen Cemetery’s Muslim burials section.
Coun Laura Moynahan asked if there are schemes to help with the cost of burials as a concrete liner to stop a grave flooding costs £1,500 alone.
Project officer Rob Swarbrick said that some families have turned to Go Fund Me and other online sites to help cover costs.
Ms Fraser said that some trusts exist but they are diminishing because younger generations aren’t in the habit of paying into them.
She added: “We need to look at the cost of the service to make sure we’re not penalising people because of their faith or religious requirements and to make sure these are affordable services.”
Affordable
Muslims make up 10.3% of the city population and, with second, third and fourth generations living in the city, far fewer people are being buried abroad.
Coun Nabeela Mowlana said: “We want to be able to provide affordable options in the first place.”
She said that British Muslims donate £2bn to charity a year and suggested asking city mosques if there are funds available to help people with costs.