Category: Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery

A look at burial practices outside the UK.

In 2012 a member of our committee visited a cemetery in New Orleans. Due to the land being ‘swamp land’ the deceased can’t be buried underground as they could either resurface when the ground was flooded due to storms or washed away.

People are buried in these family tombs instead. The tomb would initially hold one person, then their child would be placed in front, then the grandchildren in front again and so on. Each time someone was buried in the tomb those who had previously been buried would be moved back one space to make room.

Interesting to see different burial practices, and the reason for their design. Our thanks to Kerry for sharing this.

Appeal for patience and consideration towards staff!

As Secretary of the Friends can I just make an appeal to all our followers. Bereavement Service Office and Ground staff are under extraordinary pressure at this time, as are Funeral Directors. They have to deal with loved ones who are having to comply with unusual regulations in hospital, and then at burial. This is not pleasant for them so please, don’t be abusive or rude. We know that everyone is under strain, but they can only do what they can, and have to abide by/implement any restrictions that remain in force. We all appreciate the NHS but they are not the only people struggling to cope at this time. If you can applaud bin men, then surely you can understand how difficult it must be to have to impose unwanted restrictions/deal with mourners….and not least, dig increasing numbers of graves. Please, think on and support this normally helpful crew!

Can we ask again that you do not ring Kings Norton Office, but if your call is urgent please e mail them on this e mail.   kings.norton@birmingham.gov.uk

URGENT Cemetery opening information

Following Government guidelines relating to allowing next of kin access to graves, Brandwood End Cemetery will be opening daily, including weekends, for 2 hours from 4.30- 6.30pm. This period is to allow relatives to visit graves for maintenance etc and not for general exercise use.

The Cemetery Manager asks for your understanding in this unusual time, as grass cutting etc has not been able to take place due to priority being given to burials throughout the city. As well as this pressure the staffing levels are affected by Covid 19 throughout all the City cemeteries and they are trying their best to do what is required.

The gates will be locked at all other times, but manned when funerals arrive. Funerals will still continue but with a limit of 6 mourners.

It is hoped that these arrangements will offer some comfort to people wishing to visit, whilst maintaining the ability to carry out the burials safely and ensure social distancing for the staff at work.

Bereavements staff are receiving an excessive amount of calls in relation to the Cemetery opening arrangements, however the volume of calls is not manageable so they ask that people could be patient at this time and wait until normal duties commence in terms of request for assistance from the public. If someone has something urgent that really cannot wait, perhaps they could email Kings.norton@birmingham.gov.uk rather than ring the office at the moment.

FBEC bank account details.

At this time we have many members making their annual membership payment. Can I just mention that when you make an electronic payment or set up a standing order you will need to use our full name: Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery-    as any shortening of this account name may result in an electronic message stating that this account is not recognised. Please also remember to include your surname and postcode as your reference so we know its you!

Thank you again for your support which is very important to us.

 

Funerals still happening at Brandwood End

Staff were on duty at the gate of the cemetery today as they prepared for the arrival of a funeral hearse. They still have had no instructions relating to public access or allowing limited access for loved ones to visit graves. Please remember that ground staff do not make the decisions and they must abide by instructions from their superiors.

One plus of an ’empty cemetery’ is that staff have been able to get lots of work done so we are looking forward to the day we will be able to enter….using safe distancing of course!  Keep safe.

Membership renewals on the way!

All our members should receive an invitation to renew their membership of FBEC this week. Those on e mail should have received them today, plus a copy of our latest Newsletter. Postal invites will follow but may take longer to arrive in these unusual times. Maybe a good time to arrange your renewal via standing order with your bank?

Remember, if you have not joined FBEC yet, we do need your support. Keep safe-

Bereavement staff still co ordinating funerals.

Funerals are still happening in Brandwood End but under the strict supervision of Bereavement Ground Staff. Unfortunately there is a restriction on the number of mourners that can attend, agreed nationally, to comply with safe distancing policy. This is a sad time for all communities, but even more so for members of some religious groups that have specific demands surrounding the loss of a loved one.  Our thoughts are with you all.

 

Tree work continues

Those of you that live local to the cemetery will have heard the recent chain saw buzz emanating from the grounds.

 

If you follow our posts you will know that the recent storms resulted in the felling of a number of large trees in the cemetery and all that remained of them was, generally, what you see above.

Taking advantage of emptiness of the cemetery quite a lot of work has been happening that Health and Safety would not have allowed whilst members of the public were around. One such job has been the removal of these stumps. (Hence the chain saw noise).

Ground staff are still at work in Brandwood End.