Home / Disasters and Accidents / Cemetery Safety Upgraded Following Fatal Incident
Cemetery Safety Upgraded Following Fatal Incident
20 Apr
Summary
- Safety work is underway at four local cemeteries.
- Initial inspections have temporarily secured memorials.
- Permanent repairs will ensure safer cemetery visits.
Safety measures are being implemented across four cemeteries in Rossendale following a tragic accident. A four-year-old boy lost his life earlier this year when a gravestone fell at Rawtenstall Cemetery.
Rossendale Council, which manages cemeteries in Rawtenstall, Bacup, Whitworth, and Haslingden, has begun a two-phase safety initiative. The initial stage focused on inspecting memorials and ensuring temporary safety for visitors.
The second phase is now underway, aiming to make memorials permanently secure. This includes actions like uprighting stones, laying them flat, or leveling ground to improve accessibility while preserving inscriptions.
Relatives requiring repairs for memorials are urged to contact an approved stonemason. The council will issue permits free of charge for repairs identified during the safety inspections, underscoring their commitment to creating secure and welcoming spaces.
