Bid to minimise headstone safety checks distress

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 16, 2026

Newcastle City Council will conduct new safety inspections on headstones taller than two feet at four local cemeteries, using temporary stabilisation measures and notifying plot owners to reduce risks without immediately laying stones flat. This approach aims to balance public safety with sensitivity to bereaved families, following a previous large-scale operation that caused distress and disruption.

Newcastle City Council is preparing to undertake a new round of safety inspections on headstones in several local cemeteries as part of efforts to prevent accidents and avoid the disruption caused by a previous large-scale operation. The council’s move follows the laying down of more than 2,300 headstones between June 2023 and September 2024 after inspections identified safety risks.

The initial action was taken after concerns arose about unstable gravestones that posed a danger to visitors, particularly following a fatal incident in Glasgow in 2015 when a falling headstone killed a child. The council said the measures were necessary to address potential hazards, but the move provoked distress among bereaved families, especially around the Christmas period, with criticisms describing the council’s approach as "crass and insensitive."

The upcoming inspections will focus on headstones taller than two feet at Elswick, Lemington, All Saints, and Hollywood cemeteries. Rather than immediately laying down unstable memorials, officials plan to use wooden stakes and bands to stabilise headstones temporarily. Notices will also be placed on headstones requiring attention, requesting plot holders to contact the council’s bereavement service. While the council aims to avoid laying flat any memorials this time, it has acknowledged that it may be necessary in extreme cases to ensure safety.

Councillor Peter Lovatt, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local services, emphasised the personal importance of gravesites, acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue. He noted the council’s effort to contact next of kin, although this is not always possible, especially with older memorials. Lovatt cited national legislation and prior tragedies as driving the need for thorough inspections, stressing the council’s duty of care to visitors and staff working in the cemeteries.

He reassured residents that all inspections would be conducted respectfully and by trained personnel. The council has also urged headstone owners to update their contact details to facilitate communication during the inspection process, providing a phone number and email address for this purpose.

The council’s approach reflects the balance between public safety and sensitivity to families mourning loved ones, highlighting the challenges local authorities face in managing cemetery upkeep within regulatory frameworks.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.