Herefordshire Council will begin its next round of memorial safety inspections in July as part of its ongoing work to keep cemeteries safe for visitors.

The inspections will take place at Hereford, Kington, Leominster and Wigmore cemeteries. These routine checks have been carried out since 2006 to make sure memorials remain safe and secure over time.

Although such incidents are rare, there have been cases across the UK where unstable memorials have collapsed, causing death and serious injury. These events have emphasised the importance of undertaking regular safety inspections and maintenance to help protect visitors and staff.

The Council is legally required to help keep cemeteries safe. Memorials themselves remain the responsibility of the grave lease holder and, in some cases, the memorial mason if the memorial was installed within the last 10 years.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Assets, Councillor Harry Bramer, said:

“Memorials are very important to families and loved ones, and we want everyone visiting our cemeteries to be able to do so safely.

“These inspections are part of our regular safety program and help us identify any memorials that may have become unstable over time.

“We understand this can be a sensitive issue and will always work with families in a respectful and caring way. If we find a problem, we will do our best to contact the grave owner using the latest details we have.”

All inspections are carried out by trained staff using a gentle hand test to check that memorials are stable without causing damage.

If concerns are found, memorials are placed into one of three groups:

Category 1 – The memorial is unstable and presents a potential safety risk. Immediate action may be required to make it safe. A notice will be attached to the memorial, which may be laid flat, temporarily secured with stakes and bands, while efforts are made to contact the grave owner(s).

Category 2 – The memorial is safe but showing signs of wear. It will be checked again within six to 12 months.

Category 3 – The memorial is in good condition and will be checked again as part of the normal five-year inspection cycle.

Anyone with questions can contact the Bereavement Services team at: bereavement@herefordshire.gov.uk

More information is available on the Council's website.