Mourners are being asked to pay a licence fee so that they can sit at the graves of loved ones by the local council cant afford cemetery benches.
Relatives who want to mourn at cemeteries in Blaenau Gwent, Wales, have registered complaints stating they dont have anywhere to sit when visiting those who have passed away.
So now the council are proposing a new scheme – where mourners can pay a licence fee that will ensure an improved visitor experience, AKA, benches.
Until 2014 seats and benches were allowed to be donated by members of the public, giving them and other mourners somewhere to sit at the seven council-run cemeteries in the area.
But that practice was banned four years ago and it has now been revealed that it was because too many people were making insurance claims against the council as a result of poorly-manufactured benches.
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A report published by the council reveals the authority hasnt been able to replace them due to a lack of funds.
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Poorly-manufactured and maintained benches donated by bereaved family members have resulted in several successful insurance claims against the council, the report said.
Subsequently, in 2014, a decision was made not to accept or permit donated benches to be installed in cemeteries.
Budget savings and restraints are such that the council do not have the resources to purchase and install benches and as such there is now a lack of benches within cemeteries to allow visitors to sit and reflect on the loss of loved ones.
The new scheme – the memorial bench donation licence scheme – is part of a proposed update of the councils cemetery rules and regulations, which are being reviewed for the first time in seven years.
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The report states there will be no financial implications associated with new rules and regulations because the cost of the donation scheme will be met by the licence fee that mourners will have to pay.
The report adds: By introducing a memorial bench donation licence scheme benches can be installed and maintained appropriately within cemeteries, improving visitor experience.
There is no indication yet as to how much will need to be donated for the scheme to prove successful.
The issue will be discussed at a meeting of Blaenau Gwent Councils executive committee on Thursday.
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