Caistor Cemetery
Caistor Town Council has temporarily paused all new burials at North Kelsey Road Cemetery while reviewing historic graves and seeking legal advice to ensure lawful, respectful interments.
Update 18th June 2026
We would like to provide a further update on ongoing work at North Kelsey Road Cemetery.
Following detailed survey work, including ground-penetrating radar, targeted ground trenching and mapping of the cemetery, it is now clear that historic burials are present across parts of the site. This reflects both the age of the cemetery and the fact that earlier burial records are not always complete or entirely accurate.
This type of finding is not unusual in older cemeteries. The work carried out to date indicates that a relatively small number of reserved plots are affected and require further review before future burial use can be confirmed.
As a precaution, and to ensure all burials continue to be managed lawfully and with appropriate respect:
• The sale and reservation of new burial plots remains paused
• Requests for interments relating to reserved plots are being considered on an individual basis
• The Council will continue to work closely with funeral directors to accommodate new interments wherever possible
The Council is continuing to seek specialist advice to confirm the most appropriate way forward and to develop clear procedures for future management.
We are currently in the process of contacting those plot holders whose reserved graves have been identified as affected so that individual circumstances can be discussed directly and people can be kept informed as this work progresses.
We would also like to reassure residents that, based on the experience of those who have carried out burials at the cemetery over many years, there have been no known instances of graves being knowingly disturbed during previous interments.
We understand this situation may be concerning for residents and families. Please be assured that the Council is handling this matter carefully, sensitively and respectfully, and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
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December 2025
Caistor Town Council has completed a survey of sections of the right hand side North Kelsey Road Cemetery to assess the location of historic burials and the availability of plots for future use. The survey indicates that historic burials are present across most of the surveyed area, including previously reserved plots. These burials have not yet been dated but it is thought that they are from mid 18th to mid 19th century.
The left-hand side of the cemetery contains mostly recorded interments and reserved plots, but the Council cannot currently confirm that historic unmarked burials are absent in this area.
As a result, no new burials can safely proceed anywhere in the cemetery at this time. The Council is taking legal advice to ensure that any future decisions comply with relevant laws, including the Burial Act 1857, and that historic graves are treated with respect.
The Council recognises that this may affect families with recently deceased loved ones or those with reserved plots. We are committed to:
- Supporting families through alternative arrangements, including interment of ashes elsewhere or delayed burial.
- Handling all interments with the utmost respect.
- Providing updates to residents once a long-term plan for the cemetery is in place.
For enquiries regarding burials, reserved plots, or alternative arrangements, please contact the Town Council at: cemetery@caistortowncouncil.gov.uk
Public Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Date: 12th December 2025
Why has the Council paused new full burials at North Kelsey Road Cemetery?
A recent Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey on part of the cemetery has identified a number of historic, unmarked burials in areas previously thought to be empty.
Because our existing records do not reflect these earlier burials, the Council must act cautiously to avoid disturbing human remains and to comply with the law.
Is the whole cemetery affected?
The survey was carried out on the right-hand side of the cemetery, and historic burials were found in many places where none were recorded.
Until further assessment and legal advice are obtained, the Council cannot assume that any unsurveyed areas—including the left-hand side—are free from historic burials.
Therefore, the pause applies to the entire cemetery.
What does “pause on new full burials” mean?
It means the Council cannot allocate any new full burial plots or use reserved plots that may be affected until more information is available.
This is a temporary measure to ensure that burials are carried out lawfully and respectfully.
Can ashes still be interred?
Interment of ashes may be possible, depending on the location.
Each request will be reviewed individually to ensure no disturbance of historic remains.
What about burials in existing family graves?
Some burials into existing family graves may still be possible, but each case must be checked carefully before approval is given.
The Council will work with families and funeral directors to provide advice and options.
What if someone has already reserved a plot?
Some reserved plots may contain historic, unmarked burials.
The Council cannot authorise burial in any reserved plot until assessment and legal advice are complete.
Families affected by this will be contacted directly once the Council has more information.
Has the Council been burying people on top of older graves?
At this stage, we cannot confirm what may or may not have happened historically.
The Council is taking immediate steps to understand the situation fully, with specialist advice, to ensure all burials are lawful and respectful.
Is this unusual?
Historic burial grounds can contain unrecorded earlier interments, especially from periods when record-keeping was limited or inconsistent.
The Council is now addressing the issue transparently, legally, and sensitively.
What is the Council doing now?
The Council is:
- Taking specialist legal advice
- Reviewing burial records and cemetery layout information
- Considering whether further surveying is required
- Developing a cemetery management policy
- Keeping funeral directors informed
- Preparing clear, regular updates for residents
When will the pause be lifted?
The pause will remain in place until the Council:
- Receives specialist legal advice,
- Assesses whether further survey work is needed, and
- Can confirm which areas, if any, are safe to use for new full burials.
How will residents be kept informed?
Updates will be posted on:
- The Caistor Town Council website
- The Council’s noticeboards
- Social media
- Funeral director briefings
If decisions affect specific families, the Clerk will contact them directly.
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Caistor Cemetery is located on North Kelsey Rd and opened for burials in 1914 following the closure of the Church graveyard.
The cemetery is owned and managed by Caistor Town Council in accordance with the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 and the amendment in 1986.
Those making arrangements for the burial of a loved one in the cemetery will usually do so using the services of a professional Funeral Director.
It is possible to pre-purchase burial plots at the cemetery. Please contact the Town Council if you would like to do this.
If you would like to search for a loved one buried in the cemetery, you can now do this by clicking on the Search for a grave link below.
This will open a map of the cemetery and you can either search using the map, or the search function.
Cemetery forms and fees can be found by clicking the link to forms and fees at the botton of the page.
