Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Liz Dance on 13/1/2025, 5:54 pm

This is a disgrace, our War Dead should be treated with dignity and respect forever, there is talk that this space could be given over to Muslin burials.

I know that a persons death should be treated with respect but, space in the UK is now at a premium, we are more or less told that we must have our dead cremated, if Muslims want their dead to be buried then surely the body should be sent to a Muslim country and not have our War Dead dug up to provide space for Muslim graves, assuming what is being said is true.

Please sign the Petition.

Link: LINK

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Sheila on 13/1/2025, 6:21 pm, in reply to "This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

I did read some people were trying to buy land in Cornwall for Muslim burials, but the Cornish people argued that they were not a lot of Muslins in Cornwall to justify it.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Sheila on 13/1/2025, 6:25 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

I should have added there is not a lot of land now for Christian burials. That is why I’m told, cremation is being encouraged .

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Liz Dance on 13/1/2025, 6:40 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

That’s the point Sheila, we are more or less denied burials these days due to lack of space so why should Muslims, and Jewish people be allowed to bury their dead when we, Christians, are more or less not allowed.

Regardless of whether or not the burial ground where these War Graves are, is needed for other people, Muslim burials has been mooted, these are War Dead and should be left where they are buried, these people gave their lives for their/our country and should be shown dignity and respect in death and left where they are.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Sheila on 13/1/2025, 6:51 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

I totally agree Liz.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Joseph on 13/1/2025, 7:32 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

Is this not just another fake news story, thought up by some idiot with nothing else better to do, not in a million years would this happen.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - express Article

Posted by Liz Dance on 13/1/2025, 8:20 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

Here is an article relating to the Petition.

Link: LINK

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - express Article

Posted by Malcolm on 13/1/2025, 8:27 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - express Article"

Forgot to add, I doubt VERY MUCH the the CMGC would agree to graves being disturbed, that is their duty to maintain.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Malcolm on 13/1/2025, 8:24 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

Have to agree with you, Joseph. I didn't read anything about Muslim burials.

Not many years ago, I was a Parish Councilor, with responsibility for our local cemetery, which covered about five villages in Nottinghamshire.

As the law stands, a grave could be "re-used" after 100 years had passed, with remains being re-interred, IF there were ANY remains, often not.

However, IF a surviving relative objected, then the grave would remain undisturbed.

However, my predessors on the Council had "future-proofed" our cemetery, as it was fairly large, and had some adjoining land which were a series of allotments.

The plan being, at some time in the future, if the cemetery was full, then the allotments would be taken back by the council, to extend the cemetery.

But I agree with the thought that to disturb a war grave would be totally unacceptable, being an ex-serviceman myself.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Liz Dance on 13/1/2025, 8:45 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

That’s the thing Malcolm no War Grave should ever be disturbed for whatever reason, I hope The War Graves Commission steps in to put a stop to this kind of thing, I hope that someone, somewhere has some common sense.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Brian on 13/1/2025, 8:44 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

Muslims are usually cremated it's their tradition, I cannot remember seeing a Muslim grave anywhere.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition

Posted by Brian on 13/1/2025, 8:52 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

Sorry it's Sikhs who are cremated, Muslims do get buried but like ourselves has become less common.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian

Posted by Liz Dance on 13/1/2025, 9:00 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition"

Cremation is Haram forbidden in Islam, hence Muslims are buried.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian

Posted by Brian on 13/1/2025, 9:47 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian"

It is Haram but does happen nowadays.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian

Posted by Stan Wears on 14/1/2025, 9:17 am, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian"

Regardless, it is a damned disgrace. Going before I add to it....

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian

Posted by John Shearer on 14/1/2025, 11:14 am, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian"

Muslims have been buried in this Country for years and years, so wear have they been burying them all these years? And mostly within 24 hours of death.

Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 14/1/2025, 11:51 am, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian"

List of cemeteries on Google for Muslim cemeteries.

Graves a touchy subject

Posted by Allan Campbell on 14/1/2025, 4:55 pm, in reply to "Re: This is a disgrace - please sign the Petition - Brian"

From memory graves can be reused after a certain time maybe 100 years and depending on whether it was purchased at the time of burial and was it in perpetuity?

The council can then reuse the graves. What the rules are may depend on the origin rules from when the graveyard was opened.

War graves are a different matter as they come under the War Graves Commission. We have a big one here in Harrogate. To me a War grave are sacrosanct.

Start messing around with those and then what happens to those in France etc. there would be hell on.

In Hebburn cemetery I have 5 unmarked graves at least of family and there are an awful lot of those.

The vast majority are probably not visited by the family and they may not even know that they are there.

I know that up in Scotland there can be three or more in one grave known as a lair.

If they are going to reuse an area of a graveyard they would have to remove the remains in a proper manner and inter in a new. Grave.

In Hebburn Cemetery to the North of the Kelly graves there are two section that are almost devoid of gravestones my Morris G G/Pts are in a marked grave there but the tombstone a right mess and overgrown.

I had thought of having it overhauled but the cost would be huge and I’m the only one I think that knows of it location/ existence.

If done properly why not reuse those areas.

I am deliberately ignoring other faiths as beyond me. However our burial rules should stand!

I expect there are existing rules that cover that.

The vast majority of people these day probably have no idea where their ancestors are buried. From about 1956 cremation became the norm. I would not wish to be buried!

Allan C.

Re: Graves a touchy subject

Posted by Joseph on 14/1/2025, 10:21 pm, in reply to "Graves a touchy subject"

Good one that Alan, interesting.

Re: Graves a touchy subject

Posted by Geordieboy ns on 15/1/2025, 12:25 am, in reply to "Graves a touchy subject"

Mausaliums are becoming very popular, high rise vaults, here prices are competative to Graves they are heated and cooled the price varies with eye level being more expensive. The higher up you go the lower the price. The highest nich probably ten high. All have perpetual care.BUT cremation is by far the most popular and a lot cheaper.

Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian

Posted by Allan Campbell on 15/1/2025, 5:24 am, in reply to "Graves a touchy subject"

When researching ancestors I often go into libraries to try to find grave info. The Word in Shields is great for S. Tyneside.

I visit graves in Hebburn Cemetery when up there but going down to the Crem. In Shields ? Not happy as no spot to focus on just an area. Made a mistake there should have had remain put in an Urn And placed at a specific spot. 40 years too late.

Looking at a grave stone gives a sort of release. But that’s me.

Allan C.

Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian

Posted by Janice on 15/1/2025, 6:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian "

"Looking at a grave stone gives a sort of release. But that’s me."

I feel exactly the same.

And, Yes...war graves are sacrosanct. Without a doubt.

Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 16/1/2025, 10:23 am, in reply to "Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian "

Purchased a new plot around ten years ago Hebburn Cemetery .A lovely spot yards from the back of the church all bravado at the time but as the years go by wander did i rush into it but done now .

Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian

Posted by John Shearer on 16/1/2025, 12:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian "

I don't like queues also Maria

Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 16/1/2025, 12:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian "

John I am terrible don't understand age thing .

Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 16/1/2025, 12:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian "

Got it John understand .

Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out

Posted by Allan Campbell on 16/1/2025, 3:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Graves a touchy subject I like them as a Family Historian "

For years I thought that there were 4 buried in my grandparents grave.

Then I realised that grandfather was cremated so not in the grave.

There are 4 name on the headstone but only one in the grave. I found that the two sisters of my mother were elsewhere in the cemetery after a visit to The Word which have the records.

If a family member died after about 1956 they would probably be cremated either at Westend Cemetery Newcastle or Shields Crem. But that would be in the mid to late 60’s. My grandparents who Died in 1 in 1956 and 2 in 1959& 60 cremated at the Westend Crem.

So don’t rely on the headstone information.

My grandfathers sister in given on Grandparents gravestone but probably cremated at Shields in 1972.

Allan C.

Re: Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 16/1/2025, 3:54 pm, in reply to "Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out"

Speaking to people on visits to cemetery often a cremation urn also put in with a person buried and there name also on Headstone.

Re: Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out

Posted by Geordieboy ns on 16/1/2025, 8:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out"

Allan C., When my parents died they were cremated a a couple of days later my sister's said we have to go to Shields Crematorian. We were met at the memorial garden by a staff member who was holding Mom's ashes in a container of sorts. He led us to a cleared grassy area I had no idea what for,after a brief family discussion,the container was giving to me and I was told to pick a spot in the grassy area. Still not knowing what was going on the staff member showed me how to empty Mom's ashes on the selected spot. I was shocked and definately not impressed particularly when the wind blew the ashes over my shoes. The staff member said the grassy spot was sacred and would remain so. Humm.,

Re: Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out

Posted by Malcolm on 16/1/2025, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out"

So, Dad passed in 2002, and the ashes duly collected by elder brother, Brian. (there were 8 of us)

Where to scatter the ashes? A local beauty spot was selected, where they frequented for many years, a small stream that flowed into a mill-pond.

So we gathered, each of us took it in turn to drop a few ashes of Harold into the trickling stream...

After the last of us had taken their turn, the urn was passed back to Brian...

There was a very difficult silence at that point, no one knowing what to say...

Brian held the urn up close to his eyes, reading the label, and said "So who WAS this Albert Johnstone, then?"

We all burst out laughing!!! Job DONE for Harold, HE would have loved that...so off to the Pub!

Goodnight, and God-bless Harold! And thank you, Brian!

Re: Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 17/1/2025, 11:18 am, in reply to "Re: Graves do tell lies don’t be caught out"

Always made me wonder how many Grey Squirrels are in Hebburn Cemetery always spot a few around the trees .Jarrow Cemetery also have them.No doubt have been there many years.

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[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No Party Politics,swearing,derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.