Gary Burks City of London cemeteries presentation 17 June 2014

The City of London Cemetery & The City of London Cemetery & CrematoriumCrematorium

A few Fact and FiguresA few Fact and Figures Purchased in 1854 Purchased in 1854 Opened in 1856Opened in 1856 200 acre site200 acre site There were 9,807 burials in 1871There were 9,807 burials in 1871 Crematorium opened in 1904Crematorium opened in 1904 305,458 burials by the end of 1908305,458 burials by the end of 1908 69 cremations by the end of 190869 cremations by the end of 1908

More Facts and FiguresMore Facts and Figures Over 152,000 graves to dateOver 152,000 graves to date

Over 510,000 burialsOver 510,000 burials

Over 260,000 cremationsOver 260,000 cremations

Remains from 38 of the City ChurchyardsRemains from 38 of the City Churchyards

Ernie TurnerErnie Turner

Grave ReclamationGrave Reclamation City of London (Various Powers) Act 1969 City of London (Various Powers) Act 1969

Reclaim a private grave in general ground Reclaim a private grave in general ground where;where;

Grave has not been used in over 75 yearsGrave has not been used in over 75 years

Depth within the grave for further burialsDepth within the grave for further burials

City of London Reuse PilotCity of London Reuse Pilot Consecrated groundConsecrated ground Public (common) burial area of the 1920sPublic (common) burial area of the 1920s Predominantly cleared of memorialsPredominantly cleared of memorials Signs in place since 2000Signs in place since 2000 Three graves with a registered interestThree graves with a registered interest Space for 1360 gravesSpace for 1360 graves Faculty issuedFaculty issued

Reuse ProtocolReuse ProtocolSix point ScaleSix point Scale

0 = No remains found0 = No remains found 1 = Small fragments of skeletal remains 1 = Small fragments of skeletal remains 2 = Significant skeletal remains2 = Significant skeletal remains 3 = Significant skeletal remains and fragments 3 = Significant skeletal remains and fragments

of coffinof coffin 4 = Clearly defined but damaged coffin and 4 = Clearly defined but damaged coffin and

significant skeletal remainssignificant skeletal remains 5 = Fully intact coffin found5 = Fully intact coffin found 6 = Remains that are not fully decomposed6 = Remains that are not fully decomposed

Reuse Details to dateReuse Details to date Total of 940 burialsTotal of 940 burials 389 at point (0)389 at point (0) 174 at point (1)174 at point (1) 264 at point (2)264 at point (2) 70 at point (3)70 at point (3) 41 at point (4)41 at point (4) 2 at point (5)2 at point (5) 0 at point (6)0 at point (6)

Number of ComplaintsNumber of Complaints

None to dateNone to date

Grave ReuseGrave Reuse London Local Authorities Act 2007London Local Authorities Act 2007 Private gravesPrivate graves General groundGeneral ground 75 years from last interment75 years from last interment Lift and deepenLift and deepen Remains to be placed deeper within Remains to be placed deeper within

existing grave existing grave

Grave Reuse ContinuedGrave Reuse Continued Obtain Faculty in Consecrated PG areasObtain Faculty in Consecrated PG areas Target of Reclaiming 200 graves a yearTarget of Reclaiming 200 graves a year Select graves where memorial has been Select graves where memorial has been

clearedcleared Select most suitable areas first Select most suitable areas first 7 Graves sold this year – 40% of all 7 Graves sold this year – 40% of all

Traditional graves sold so far this yearTraditional graves sold so far this year

Next StepsNext Steps Develop Business model to ensure Develop Business model to ensure

break-evenbreak-even Reduce Carbon FootprintReduce Carbon Footprint Increase incomeIncrease income Maintain/improve maintenanceMaintain/improve maintenance Balance cemetery operations with Balance cemetery operations with

Heritage valueHeritage value

ChallengesChallenges CompetitionCompetition Increased maintenance costsIncreased maintenance costs Increased expectations of usersIncreased expectations of users Increased pressure on IncomeIncreased pressure on Income Managing the service and reacting to Managing the service and reacting to

changes to trends and expectationschanges to trends and expectations

AimsAims Our aim is to provide a cemetery that Our aim is to provide a cemetery that

is;is; DesirableDesirable SustainableSustainable AffordableAffordable

ConclusionConclusion Reuse is achievableReuse is achievable

Reuse is acceptableReuse is acceptable

Cemeteries can be sustainableCemeteries can be sustainable

Thank youThank you

Any QuestionsAny Questions