Significant progress made to secure future burial space for Sheffield
"Ensuring that Sheffield residents have access to dignified, accessible burial provision is a responsibility we take extremely seriously.”
Significant progress has been made to secure future burial space for the city of Sheffield.
A new report due to be considered by Sheffield City Council’s Strategy and Resources Policy Committee sets out the progress made since the Council committed to developing a long-term solution to burial provision.
Sheffield City Council said: “New burial plots have already been created, additional capacity has been created at existing cemeteries, and work is progressing to identify and develop future cemetery sites.”
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The work includes creating new burial space at existing cemeteries, identifying potential new cemetery locations, and strengthening engagement with communities and faith groups to help shape future provision.
Among the key achievements highlighted in the report are the creation of more than 100 new burial plots at Tinsley Park Cemetery through the clearance of previously unused land. This will help to address immediate capacity pressures and provide additional space for Muslim burials, with further phases of work planned.
The Council has also progressed work to increase capacity at existing cemeteries, including City Road and Stocksbridge, while detailed technical, legal and environmental assessments continue at a number of potential new cemetery sites across the city.
Particular focus is being given to options in the south-east of Sheffield, where existing burial capacity pressures are most significant and there is a clear need to bring forward future provision.
The report notes that recent and planned interim measures have the potential to significantly extend burial capacity while new cemetery sites are brought forward. This will reduce the immediate risk of burial space being exhausted before long-term solutions can be delivered.
Councillor Fran Belbin, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "Ensuring that Sheffield residents have access to dignified, accessible burial provision is a responsibility we take extremely seriously.
"This report demonstrates the significant progress being made, from delivering new burial plots now to developing longer-term solutions to help meet Sheffield’s future burial needs.
"We know how important this issue is for many families across the city. That's why we are continuing to work closely with communities, faith groups and experts to develop sustainable, inclusive burial provision that meets Sheffield's future needs."
Mahmood Hussain, chair of the South Yorkshire Muslim Bereavement Trust, praised the council. He added: "Sheffield City Council's continued commitment to addressing burial provision is welcome. We recognise the progress being made to increase burial capacity in the short term, alongside the ongoing work to identify and develop longer-term solutions for the future.
“The continued dialogue between the Council, faith representatives and community stakeholders will be important in helping to ensure that future burial provision meets the needs of Sheffield's diverse population. We welcome the Council's commitment to exploring a range of options for future provision, including potential partnership and community-led approaches, and look forward to continuing to work constructively together as this important work progresses."