Plans to improve facilities and capacity at a cemetery and crematorium in South Birmingham have been unveiled, following a rise in the number of deaths in the city due to COVID.
King’s Norton Cemetery, which opened its first two phases in 2005, is expected to reach capacity in less than two years and graves available for infant and Muslim burials are expected to follow suit shortly.
Prior to April 2020, around 219 burials were held at the cemetery a year, but during the COVID pandemic that figure has risen to an average of 525 burials a year, Birmingham City Council revealed in a statement.
The proposed £2.25million expansion would see Stages 3 and 4 created in the fields next to the cemetery, providing multi-year capacity.
A separate report, outlining plans to replace the burners at Yardley Crematorium, which were last replaced in the late 1990s, is also expected to be discussed at the next council cabinet meeting on March 1.
The crematorium, which performs more than 100 cremations a month, will see its burner technology undergo a £2.25million upgrade to a more efficient two-burner system that produces cleaner emissions.
Both schemes, which aim to improve facilities in local communities in South Birmingham, will be funded from the Bereavement Services budget.
Paul Lankester, acting deputy director of regulation and enforcement at Birmingham City Council, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on cemetery capacity, which has seen available burial space be used at a much higher rate than expected.
“Kings Norton is currently the main cemetery in South Birmingham, so this investment is essential to enable us to further expand the site to meet immediate and future demands.
“The replacement of burner technology at Yardley Crematorium is also vital, as it was last renewed in the late 1990s and the new equipment is more efficient, producing improved air quality emissions. “
Norton Kings Cemetery
Kings Norton Cemetery is located in Kings Norton, Birmingham, on the site of a former Roman settlement. The site has retained many of its old features, including old hedgerows and ditches.
The cemetery has a natural burial area, Primrose Meadow, which resembles natural British meadow as closely as possible. In this area, the graves are left untended and instead left to blend in with wildflowers, with grass mowing limited to twice a year.
The graves available for adult burial on the lawn header sections include two cremation sections, which can accommodate up to two or four cremated remains. There are also currently adult Muslim lawn header sections and a Primrose Meadow natural burial area.
Yardley Cemetery and Crematorium
Opened in 1883, Yardley Cemetery covers approximately 64 acres. The Council fitted out one of its chapels and transformed it into a crematorium, which opened in 1952.
The cemetery and crematorium are easily accessible from the main walkways.
Yardley Cemetery currently has no land for new full graves. Full burials, burials or scattering of cremated remains continue to take place in private family graves.
Graves for cremated remains are still available for purchase for the burial of up to two sets of remains.
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https://www.iambirmingham.co.uk/2022/02/21/plans-unveiled-4-5m-upgrade-kings-norton-cemetery-following-surge-covid-deaths/https://www.iambirmingham.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cemetery-stock-image-pexels-pixabay-800×531.jpghttps://www.iambirmingham.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cemetery-stock-image-pexels-pixabay-300×199.jpgCoronavirusHealthmuslim birminghamNewsB’ham, babies, baby burials, Bereavement Services, Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Brum, cemetery, cemetery upgrade, council cabinet meeting, COVID, COVID pandemic, COVID-19, crematorium, death, facilities, funerals, Kings Norton, Kings Norton Cemetery,muslims,muslim burials,Paul Lankester,upgrade,West Midlands,Yardley,Yardley CrematoriumPlans to improve facilities and capacity at a cemetery and crematorium in South Birmingham have been unveiled, following a rise in the number of deaths in the city due to COVID. King’s Norton Cemetery, which opened its first two phases in 2005, is expected to reach capacity in less than two years and available graves…Staff reporterStaff
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