Cemetery could be extended for more Muslim burials

A Lancashire cemetery could have an extended Muslim burial area and other changes, if councillors approve a range of work potentially costing up to £600,000.

Other new elements at Haslingden Cemetery in Rossendale could include extra car parking and a garden of remembrance for ashes.

Rawtenstall Cemetery could also be extended in the future, according to a new report for borough councillors.

The need for burial space in the short term has been addressed at both sites, according to a council report, but Haslingden will require extra Muslim burial space later this year while Rawtenstall has space until late 2026.

All councillors at Rossendale Council's next full meeting on 16 July will need to vote on the Haslingden idea because it is not included in the current budget for big projects this financial year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Factors to consider include the council providing a burial service for the Muslim community, council relationships with the community, sources of finance for the work and the need for outside expertise on cemetery extensions, according to a council report.

Despite the initial costs faced by Rossendale Council, a failure to develop Haslingden Cemetery would mean a lack of burial provision for the Muslim community and the council missing out on potential future income associated with cemetery services.  

About 20 plot sales are expected each year and the Haslingden extension would last about 11 years. A second phase could be looked at in future.

Financially, the current cost for a grave space, vault and internment is just over £4,000. The report estimates the council's costs would be repaid in seven or eight years through burials, with remaining income from the extension's 11-year lifespan supporting cemetery staff and maintenance.

Haslingden currently has six acres of land in use and a small chapel.

If an extension went ahead, land that has been leased for farming would be used and a full planning application for a cemetery extension would be required.

The next step is to get the full council's  approval of funding to progress the scheme through planning.

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