Cemetery graves to get bigger as obesity grips UK

Philip Andrew, bereavement services manager at Harrogate Borough Council, has submitted a report saying the current size of graves, 9ft long by 4ft wide, is no longer suitable for many burials, and has requested that an additional regulation size of 9ft long by 4ft 6ins wide is also to be permitted for all new graves.

Mr Andrew told the Yorkshire Post that placing oversized coffins in the current regulation plots was causing more cases of partially collapsed graves because they disrupted the balance in the ground – a problem that was particularly acute during bad weather.

“Part of the discussions we have had is because grave sizes are getting bigger as the years go by,” he said.

“This is something that the national industry is also aware of.

“Certainly we have not had a lot of collapses, but they are becoming more frequent because of this.”

Many Yorkshire councils say they have not had to look at making changes to their regulations as they dig graves on a case by case basis.

While the proposed changes in Harrogate would bring it in line with Hull City Council, which already digs 4ft 6in wide graves, and still below the standards set by Leeds City Council, which sets a plot size of 10ft by 5ft.

But Harrogate Councillor Jim Clark, chair of the scrutiny of health committee for North Yorkshire, says it is a sign of the growing tide of obesity even in affluent parts of the region.

“This puts the problem of obesity into the spotlight,” he said.

“These oversized graves are also a stark reminder of the health risks that come with obesity.

“It is just another example of how it is affecting all parts of our society.

“It is becoming a creeping problem that we need to deal with.”

Coun Clark has called childhood obesity the “single biggest health concern” in North Yorkshire after it was recently highlighted for the second year running in a health profile of Harrogate.

The number of children now leaving school obese is a particular worry.

Meanwhile in nearby York, despite the number of reception age children at risk of obesity going down from 8.4 per cent to 7.5 per cent in the past four years, for year six pupils, aged 11-12, there has been an increase during 2010/2011 with 14.7 per cent of children now considered at risk.

While poor diets and social deprivation have been blamed for childhood obesity in the past, there is growing evidence to suggest that more affluent lifestyles can also have a significant impact on obesity levels.

In 2010, a year-long study into the causes of childhood obesity in York found that a lack of exercise, a growing reliance on car travel and the surge in popularity of computer games as young people sit in front of TVs rather than playing outside have all contributed to the problems.

The proposed amended rules and regulations for Harrogate’s cemeteries and governing memorials will go before Coun Nick Brown, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for public protection and rural affairs, on April 3.