The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Cemetery is to remain closed to the public despite a plea from the government.
The cemetery is currently only open for funerals but closed to the general public, meaning people are unable to visit the graves of their loved ones.
At the government’s daily coronavirus briefing on Saturday, communities secretary Robert Jenrick asked councils to keep open, or reopen, cemeteries and graveyards, saying it’s important for people to be able make private visits and seek solace at the graves or to lay flowers.
The Voice was contacted by a mother who wanted to visit her daughter’s grave to mark an anniversary after seeing the briefing.
She went to the cemetery on Tuesday morning expecting to find it unlocked after the weekend’s announcement and was devastated to find it remained closed.
South Holland District Council has confirmed the cemetery will not be reopening.
The spokesman said: “In accordance with the statement by the Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick over the weekend, our cemeteries continue to remain open for those who are attending funerals.
“We will wait for further official guidance from the government in terms of the further lifting of restrictions.”
On Tuesday Rutland County Council announced it is taking steps to reopen cemeteries and church yards following the change in government guidance.
Coun Angela Newton has been trying to get the cemetery reopened after being contacted by a member of the public, who was concerned about her family’s graves becoming unkempt and overgrown.
Coun Newton said she is “disgusted” at the decision at a time when it’s more important than ever that people should be able to visit.
She said: “I’m really pleased to hear that the government has changed its advice on the opening of cemeteries but I’m disgusted that the council will not be reopening Spalding Cemetery.
“It’s just not good enough. People need to be able to visit and tend to graves.
“The council are letting people down over this. Lots of people are very anxious to visit the cemetery again. It’s made me really angry.”
