FOI Request - Incorrect Burial Locations
Request 101003162608
I'm hoping to find out more information about bodies that have been found to be buried in the wrong location.
As such, I’d like as full disclosure as possible in relation to the following:
1. Over the past ten years, how many reports has the council logged of coffins/bodies buried in the wrong plot? Please breakdown by year and in each case, provide the names of the burial site the remains were originally interred at.
2. Please provide either copies of the council’s reports relating to each wrongful burial or as many details about each case as is possible to provide within the cost and time limits of the FOI act, including but not limited to the reason the remains were deemed to be wrongfully buried; how long they had been wrongfully buried; how the error was discovered and what action was taken.
3. In how many cases were living relatives notified of burial errors? Please break down by year.
4. For each year, please provide a breakdown of how much the council has paid in compensation to families in relation to wrongful burials. Please provide the number of families compensated each year and the associated sums of compensation.
5. Over this ten year period, how many exhumations have the council authorised and/or funded due to burial errors? Please breakdown by year and provide the amount spent by the council on each occasion.
Response 02-11-2022
1. 2017 – 1 report - Incorrect (vacant, pre-sold lair) used in error by Gravedigger due to operator error with lair numbering at Broomhill Cemetery, Keith, Moray. No changes to the interment were made; the matter was resolved by correcting the lair certificates.
2021 – 1 report. Incorrect (vacant, pre-sold lair) used in error by Gravedigger due to operator error with lair numbering at Broomhill Cemetery, Keith, Moray. No changes to the interment were made; the matter was resolved by correcting the lair certificates.
2. 2017 – mistake came to light when staff were locating a grave for another funeral that the interments in the ground did not match the record and lair book. An alternative lair was provided to lair holder whose pre-sold vacant lair was used in error. We reviewed our processes and changed our practice Including the issuing of new cemetery maps.
2021 – Telephone call received regarding use of a pre-sold lair in error (as above). An alternative lair was provided to lair holder whose pre-sold vacant lair was used in error. We reviewed our processes and changed our practice Including the issuing of new cemetery maps.
3. 2017 - Two notifications to amend incorrect lair certificates. No change to interment required or made.
2021 – One notification to amend incorrect lair certificate. No change to interment required or made.
4. 2017 – Refunds of £1722 – lair holders and interment compensation.
2021 – Alternative lair agreed and provided to lair holder of pre-purchased lair used in error. A refund of £824.16 was provided to the lair holder as compensation for the error.
5. None - information not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.