Fakenham cemeteries to get safety inspections and cost rises

Fakenham Town Council has said it will be carrying out safety testing across its graveyard sites in the coming months, as well as implementing changes to cemetery fees.

Inspections will be taking place across the Queen's Road and Creake Road cemeteries.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "Sadly there have been incidents nationally when a headstone has fallen and in one case, killing a child.

"The inspection is to ensure that memorial stones are stable and do not present a safety risk. "

Queen's road cemetery is one of the cemeteries where inspections will be taking place. (Image: Google Maps)
The announcement for the safety inspection comes after previous complaints made to the town council's management of its sites. 

Earlier this year, the council came under fire after it threatened to remove items that were deemed a "trip hazard".

The matter was resolved at a meeting in May when the council agreed to put up "appropriate signage" and consult the public.

The inspection tests will include visual inspections and hand tests of headstones' stability by one of the council's trained employees. 

If the council finds any safety risks, action will be taken to stabilise the memorial temporarily. 

A spokeswoman for the council said: "If this is not possible, and only as a last resort, a memorial will be laid down on the grave space. 

"Where remedial action is required, the council will contact the exclusive right of burial owner to request that a stonemason is contacted to carry out repairs." 

Creake road is also one of the cemeteries where inspections will be taking place. (Image: Google Maps)
The council is also enforcing an increase in memorial costs, which will come into effect from September 1. 

Fees for interment of adults will increase from £184 to £203. 

Exclusive right of burial for a conventional burial will go from £184 to £300, and a headstone will almost double from £147 to £300.