MAY I make some observations in response to letters which were published recently concerning York Cemetery.

The cemetery opened in 1837, went into voluntary liquidation in 1966 and in 1979 devolved to the Crown, with no one willing to take responsibility for it. At this point the cemetery lost its freehold title and all rights of access and use were lost by the individual grave owners.

This situation persisted until February 13, 1987, when the Crown granted a new freehold to York Cemetery Trust. Rights of access and use were reinstated by the trust.

Up until 1912 graves were sold as freehold property: from 1912 only the rights of burial were sold, both being in perpetuity. All these rights were lost absolutely in 1979.

From 1987 sales of burial rights have been for a period of 99 years only, after this burial rights can be purchased for a further period.

The upkeep of the monuments is the duty of their owners but if they are listed this becomes a statutory obligation. It is the trust's policy never to remove monuments from the cemetery.

Grave space is a diminishing asset thus all revenue raised from the sale of burial rights is put into reserve. Income from this investment will one day be used to provide the salary of a warden so that the site can be maintained when there are no more interments.

The trust has no intention to reuse purchased graves and, in its long-term financial planning, this is not an option.

Under the Deed of Trust, the trustees can make no financial gain whatsoever from involvement in the cemetery. The legal ownership of the cemetery is vested in the trustees in order that the cemetery has protection under the law.

Dr R G Keesing,

Chairman York Cemetery Trust,

The Gate House,

York Cemetery,

Cemetery Road,

York.

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, September 27, 2003