Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council earmarks 50 memorial benches which could potentially be dumped
A council report has identified 50 graveyard memorial benches in Lisburn that could potentially be set for the dump.
Grieving families in the district were recently left angered after Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council confirmed in September that it had not kept records of cemetery benches in disrepair which it had already removed.
The environment committee heard that a total replacement scheme by the local authority could result in a cost of over £120k to replace all 144 benches across council cemeteries, but there is no budget available.
A council director said: “There are currently 50 memorial benches identified as in the most significant state of disrepair and have the potential to pose health and safety concerns.
“Council appreciates that this is an emotive subject and the removal of a memorial benches should only be a last resort.
“Officers will continue to exhaust all avenues to locate family members associated with a memorial bench in order that they are given every opportunity to repair or replace their bench as necessary before it would be removed. There may also be a need to relocate benches.
“This policy is in no way connected to gaining more burial plot spaces in Blaris cemetery.”
However, elected members agreed not to engage a new memorial bench replacement policy at this time with a further review after the next council elections in 2027.
The chamber heard that any wooden benches replaced by the council could be replaced by a steel design that should be maintenance free for 15 years. Each bench is currently estimated to cost over £850.
The existing council regulations, which will remain in place for now, state that “any benches in disrepair will be removed with no new benches permitted to be installed”.
Plaques from the benches will be offered to families for collection from the cemeteries office.
LCCC is also considering a future offer of family plaques to be displayed on a memorial structure in a garden of reflection, rather than a replacement bench.
Councillor Nicola Parker commented: “This all needs to be approached with great sensitivity.
“I would have some concern in the future of policy being kept in perpetuity (indefinitely) when there may be no more family members alive or if we can’t contact them.”