Under current legislation, only cemeteries and burial grounds owned by Councils are subject to conditions such as repair and maintenance of graves, registering and recording burials, and the right to place memorials.
If successful, the North Belfast MLA’s Private Member’s Bill would mean private bodies such as churches would have to follow the same regulations. She said the situation at a local graveyard prompted an exploration of the rules which cemeteries must follow.
“Last year, construction work was carried out in Milltown Cemetery in West Belfast, sparking fears it could disturb unmarked graves. Since then, I have met with many families who fear such work will affect the remains of their loved ones, some of which have been buried there since the 1930s,” she said.
“There is a personal connection to this situation – my mother was previously informed her stillborn son and twins she lost during pregnancy could be in the baby graves in Milltown. It is a story I have heard repeated over and over from so many people, with numerous stillborn children not afforded a burial in traditional circumstances left in this graves. It is a particularly disturbing situation given the size and scale of such mass graves are likely being underestimated.
"But this is not only an issue in Milltown Cemetery. We have since been made aware of similar issues in cemeteries across Northern Ireland, run by numerous different churches or denominations. The number of individuals coming forward with similar stories has made it clear urgent action is required. While private cemeteries are not obliged to follow the same regulations as Council-run sites, then we cannot have full confidence these burial grounds are properly protected.
“I am hopeful my Bill will progress and ensure legislation in Northern Ireland is modernised in the same fashion as has happened elsewhere in the UK, particularly Scotland. We need to reassure those who have family members buried in such circumstances the remains of their loved ones will not be disturbed and they will be treated with the respect they were not afforded in life."
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