Families with loved ones buried in the Fordington Cemetery in Dorchester have been alerted to the possibility of exhumations and reburials due to a recent wall collapse. The collapse, described as sudden and unexpected, has prompted the town council to undertake reconstruction efforts for safety reasons.
The engineering works necessary to stabilize the affected area are likely to lead to the exhumation of several graves situated near the collapsed wall. Any remains that are uncovered will be reinterred in an alternate location, pending Church permission.
The deteriorating wall has already forced the closure of access to certain graves and the town’s German War Memorial, necessitating temporary support with scaffolding and containers of water. The council is in the process of contacting relatives of individuals buried in the vicinity of the wall, spanning from 1882 to 1892, to apprise them of the situation and seek their cooperation.
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In a bid to ensure that the exhumations are conducted in accordance with Salisbury Diocese’s requirements and legislation, the council intends to enlist specialized contractors. They have emphasized their commitment to treating all remains with the utmost dignity and respect throughout the process.
To facilitate communication with affected families, the council has set a deadline for contacting them before the end of April. For further information, relatives are encouraged to reach out to the council via phone or email.
The uncertain costs associated with the reconstruction efforts have yet to be fully determined, pending the completion of design work. The timeline for the project is anticipated to span around 12 weeks, with the possibility of adjustments based on the final design requirements and the availability of contractors.
The council has also undertaken a ground radar survey of the area to accurately chart out the graves' locations, acknowledging the limitations of the existing map. They have taken measures to secure the affected area with fencing and continue to monitor it closely for any signs of further disturbance.