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.
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.