COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor A-M. Dermody

"To ask the Chief Executive to provide details of the rules concerning the implementation of grave surrounds in the lawned area of Bohernabreena Cemetery, to include details as to the number of graves that have surrounds despite the rule against, together with details (to include numbers) as and what action have been taken by the Chief Executive to enforce these rules against those who disobey and the details of fines/penalties for such breaches?"

REPLY:

"Since construction, the new sections of Bohernabreena Cemetery are designated as a lawn cemetery. This means that apart from an appropriate headstone, there are no other permanent/semi-permanent structures or items of mourning (i.e. planted flowers, candles, ornaments etc.) permitted.

This policy is indicated on site by a number of signs (See illustrations attached) and has been notified to the funeral directors since the opening of these new sections.

Restrictions that apply provide that:

• Only appropriate headstones are permitted.
• No other permanent or semi-permanent structures are permitted.
• No kerbing or borders, of any kind, are permitted.
• No other items of mourning (i.e. planted flowers, toys, statues, lights, candles etc...) are permitted.

While the Council has in the past kindly requested the owners of grave plots, or their executors, to remove any items and/or structures from the lawn section, this policy has not always been fully pursued, and it is acknowledged that a certain lack of control has emerged. 

In order to maintain the sections, as designed, this practice cannot continue and in future, prior to cutting of the grass, the Council will remove any recently placed items from the lawn mower’s path and carefully transfer the articles to the corresponding headstone plinth. These items will not be replaced to the grass.

It is important to note past experience which has shown that the removal of items, which are in breach of the Lawn Cemetery policy, has caused distress and upset to grieving families, and it is considered that 104 plots are currently in non-compliance with the Lawn Cemetery policy.

In order to address this and other issues and concerns which have been brought to the Council’s attention, an internal review of the management, operation, and maintenance of our Burial Grounds, including the Lawn Cemetery at Bohernabreena, is currently taking place. 

It is expected that this review will be completed in the coming weeks and that measures will be put in place on foot of the review to safeguard that Bohernabreena Cemetery is managed and maintained to the standard befitting the memory of all those loved ones buried in the Cemetery."