Campaigners question solutions to Sheffield cemetery grave flooding
Campaigners to get the problem of flooded graves at Shiregreen Cemetery resolved have questioned Sheffield Council’s latest attempts to rectify the issue.
Several members of the city’s Muslim community asked questions because they are worried that their loved ones’ graves are filled with water. Questions were raised at the city council’s communities, parks and leisure policy committee on Monday (November 3).
Saghir Hussain and others got written responses from committee chair Coun Kurtis Crossthorn but Mr Hussain also appeared at the committee to ask a supplementary question.
Mr Hussain’s written questions concerned what specific systems are currently being used to monitor ground conditions at Shiregreen and why more accurate, evidence-based approaches, such as drainage system trials, have not yet been implemented.
Campaigners say they want test channels dug ‘head to toe’ between graves to establish this.
Absent
Coun Crossthorn said that an independent assessment of the Muslim burial area showed “groundwater is generally absent from the site, and that water observed in pre-dug graves is surface water resulting from rainfall, not rising groundwater”.
He said that measures already in place include a large soakaway installed in the north-east corner to improve drainage and a revised concrete-lined grave design for the lower part of the plot where clay-rich soils impede the movement of water.
Coun Crossthorn added that the next phase of work, which was shared with Sheffield Muslim Bereavement Forum, includes opening three empty lined test graves on the top, middle, and bottom levels to assess water ingress. There will also be a three-month monitoring period to observe how conditions fluctuate with rainfall. An existing drainage network will be investigated and may be cleared to improve surface water movement. He said the council’s civil engineering and flood teams will explore technical solutions if water retention is confirmed.
Assurance
Two independent stakeholders have been invited to attend the test grave openings. Coun Crossthorn said: “Their presence is intended to provide community assurance and oversight.”
The suggestion of digging test channels betwen graves has been ruled out because of “significant legal, ethical, and practical challenges,” said Coun Crossthorn’s answer.
“Intervening in occupied graves is not permitted under current regulations, and any water present in such graves may be considered contaminated.
“Practically, the narrow space between graves is prohibitive – navigating between headstones, memorials, and personal tributes in such confined areas is extremely difficult and risks damage.”
Mr Hussain accused the council of “tiptoeing around the subject” and said those who have lost loved ones worry they are buried in contaminated water.
Solution
Coun Crossthorn replied: “It is clear that we all want a solution to this one that is suitable for everyone.”
He added: “It is an incredibly serious and emotive subject because saying goodbye to your loved ones is the most stressful time”, adding that everyone has a right to say goodbye to someone in a way that suits them.
Coun Crossthorn said that the new soakaway has improved the situation for new graves and the council is looking at existing graves.
Another questioner, Mr Azam, told the meeting that he is representing Muslim families but any community could be affected. He also said: “Sheffield’s pricing structure could be described as both discriminatory and unnecessarily complicated.”
He pointed to a charge for digging a grave one inch wider for a bigger person’s burial.
Coun Crossthorn said that the pricing structure is currently being reviewed and the council would welcome any feedback.