Fear of ‘no real way forward’ on flooded graves at Sheffield cemetery
A member of Sheffield’s Muslim community said he fears there is “no real way forward” on the issue of graves flooding at Shiregreen Cemetery.
He also protested that the cost of concrete liners for graves is “profiteering”.
Saghir Hussain asked questions at a meeting of Sheffield City Council’s communities, parks and leisure policy committee yesterday (September 30) as a result of complaints raised over several months about the flooding of graves at Shiregreen. The cemetery has a section set aside for Muslim burials.
Grieving families have protested that their loved ones’ graves are constantly filling with water and have asked the council what remedial works will take place to resolve the issue.
Mr Hussain said: “I’m here with a very heavy heart with an issue which has arisen for a number of months now. It’s the graveyard at Shiregreen – it’s a massive issue which we’ve previously discussed and the chair acknowledged the severity of the issue we have there.”
The outcome of discussions with the council led to a promise of a report that would be published with findings, he said, in order to make an actionable plan.
Disappointment
“We’ve had a recent meeting with bereavement services and, to our disappointment, bereavement services had failed to publish this document – a document that’s been paid by the taxpayer, commissioned by Sheffield City Council and has now been withdrawn from circulation, on the proviso that it’s copyrighted.
“We find it very shocking that this has happened. Also, on the back of that document, an action plan was to be made public and, as of right now, there is no real way forward, which is causing the community a lot of distress, and as you appreciate this causes a lot of underlying health issues – anxiety, depression – as I’ve mentioned on previous occasions.”
He asked for assurances to himself and the wider community that something is going to be done “to have this issue at Shiregreen fixed”.
Mr Hussain also referred to the cost of concrete grave chamber liners. He said that the cost of a concrete liner with a drainage system is approximately £850.
“I will tell you guys today that the bereavement services charges the Muslim community £2,850 for the exact same service. This is beyond comprehension – there’s £2,000 worth of profiteering being made by bereavement services on the back of bereaving families.
“How is that justified? I’m lost for words.”
Chair Coun Kurtis Crossland said Mr Hussain would receive a written answer to his questions. He added: “This is obviously a very sensitive issue and a very emotional issue, so we will make all those questions and written responses public and we’ll send them over to you soon.”