Yorkshire city's cemeteries will 'run out of room in months' as 7,000 sign petition over 'dire situation'

A petition with 7,000 signatures is urging Sheffield City Council to address the "a dire situation" of a shortage in burial spaces across city cemeteries.

The petition demands "immediate action to tackle the dire situation that exists with regard to the depleting burial space/provision in Sheffield by the delivery of available, affordable and appropriate new burial space/provision in Sheffield, for all communities, and particularly for the Muslim community, within the next 24 months".

Launched by Mahmood Hussain on behalf of the South Yorkshire Muslim Bereavement Trust, the issue is set to be discussed at a Sheffield City Council meeting on Wednesday, December 4. The petition highlights that council leaders have known for nearly two years about "the drastic situation regarding the depleting amount of burial space for deceased members of the Muslim community, such that at the then current rate of usage, only five years of supply remained within the city".

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Furthermore, it states: "There are still no actual concrete plans in place from Sheffield City Council to develop any appropriate burial sites to alleviate this long-standing and pressing issue."

"Considering the amount of lead time involved in delivering new burial provision, this issue is now critical, with the very real and significant risk of burial space for the Muslim community running out in Sheffield, before appropriate new burial space provision is made available.

"This is a significant shortcoming in the council's strategic planning and delivery of an essential and sensitive service to the Muslim community."

There are designated Muslim sections within Shiregreen, City Road, and Abbey Lane cemeteries.

Sheffield boasts a total of 16 council-run cemeteries. A review of burial sites was initiated by the council in January, revealing that the city may run out of burial spaces within the next five years.

Tinsley Park Cemetery is no longer open for new burials.

The petition has garnered support from the Council of Mosques South Yorkshire, United Mosques Council of Sheffield, Federation of Mosques Sheffield, and the South Yorkshire Muslim Bereavement Trust. The matter is pressing for the Muslim community as their faith requires the deceased to be buried promptly.

Additionally, campaigners have raised issues regarding the flooding of Muslim graves at Shiregreen Cemetery.

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