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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/nov/09/council-cemetery-mixed-up-graves
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Council admits cemetery errors may have mixed up graves | Council admits cemetery errors may have mixed up graves |
(about 1 month later) | |
Grieving families might have been visiting the wrong graves for decades because of serious errors, a council says. | Grieving families might have been visiting the wrong graves for decades because of serious errors, a council says. |
Northumberland county council said around 30 families were thought to be affected by a string of inaccuracies in burial records dating back "a significant number of years". | Northumberland county council said around 30 families were thought to be affected by a string of inaccuracies in burial records dating back "a significant number of years". |
It means some gravestones could have been erected on the wrong burial plot and that unregistered burials have taken place at North Road and Tweedmouth cemeteries in Berwick-upon-Tweed. | It means some gravestones could have been erected on the wrong burial plot and that unregistered burials have taken place at North Road and Tweedmouth cemeteries in Berwick-upon-Tweed. |
The council said it discovered the errors immediately after taking over management of the two cemeteries from Berwick borough council in 2009, when it became a unitary authority. | The council said it discovered the errors immediately after taking over management of the two cemeteries from Berwick borough council in 2009, when it became a unitary authority. |
It commissioned an independent investigation into the historical records and two members of staff were suspended, and recently dismissed for gross misconduct. | It commissioned an independent investigation into the historical records and two members of staff were suspended, and recently dismissed for gross misconduct. |
A council spokesman said around 30 families were thought to be affected by one of four types of errors. | A council spokesman said around 30 families were thought to be affected by one of four types of errors. |
These are that the burial took place at the wrong plot, a memorial was erected at the wrong grave, the deeds were issued incorrectly or that an unregistered burial took place. | These are that the burial took place at the wrong plot, a memorial was erected at the wrong grave, the deeds were issued incorrectly or that an unregistered burial took place. |
The spokesman added: "For sensitive reasons we do not want to say exactly how far back these inaccuracies date, but it is a significant number of years, decades." | The spokesman added: "For sensitive reasons we do not want to say exactly how far back these inaccuracies date, but it is a significant number of years, decades." |
Headstones and memorials are often erected months after a burial, when distressed families may not realise that it is being erected on the wrong plot. | Headstones and memorials are often erected months after a burial, when distressed families may not realise that it is being erected on the wrong plot. |
Council staff are beginning to contact families thought to be affected by the errors. | Council staff are beginning to contact families thought to be affected by the errors. |
Roger Styring, deputy leader of the council, said: "Our detailed investigations have found some problems with historical records at the cemeteries which are causing us considerable concern. | Roger Styring, deputy leader of the council, said: "Our detailed investigations have found some problems with historical records at the cemeteries which are causing us considerable concern. |
"We understand that this could be extremely upsetting for people affected by this and we're sorry for the distress caused. | "We understand that this could be extremely upsetting for people affected by this and we're sorry for the distress caused. |
"We are making a commitment to all of the families involved that we will deal with these issues in an extremely sensitive manner. | "We are making a commitment to all of the families involved that we will deal with these issues in an extremely sensitive manner. |
"We are putting support in place to ensure that anyone affected has full knowledge and any support and guidance that they need during the work. | "We are putting support in place to ensure that anyone affected has full knowledge and any support and guidance that they need during the work. |
"We understand that this may cause upset and uncertainty for people with friends or relatives buried there and we are deeply sympathetic towards them during this difficult time. | "We understand that this may cause upset and uncertainty for people with friends or relatives buried there and we are deeply sympathetic towards them during this difficult time. |
"We would like to reassure people that we are working with the greatest of care, respect and sensitivity, and our sympathies are with anyone who is involved." | "We would like to reassure people that we are working with the greatest of care, respect and sensitivity, and our sympathies are with anyone who is involved." |
The council said it was reviewing all procedures at the cemetery. | The council said it was reviewing all procedures at the cemetery. |
A dedicated hotline for families who have concerns has opened. The number is 08444 632 330 or 0203 417 02 70 for anyone outside the UK. | A dedicated hotline for families who have concerns has opened. The number is 08444 632 330 or 0203 417 02 70 for anyone outside the UK. |
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