Communal Graves for Stillborn and Miscarried Babies
The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) acknowledges the recent reports regarding the discovery of communal graves containing stillborn babies, particularly at Royton Cemetery, Oldham, and Landican Cemetery, Wirral. We recognise that this is a deeply sensitive issue, and it is essential that discussions are conducted with care, respect, and understanding for the affected families.
We understand that these reports have raised concerns, particularly due to the tone of some media coverage. This may cause additional distress to families who are already grieving, regardless of how much time has passed. It is crucial that the media and public discussions surrounding this matter are handled with the utmost sensitivity and compassion.
Historical Practices of Communal Graves
The ICCM recognises that burial in communal graves was once a common practice in the UK, not just for babies but also for children and adults, when families did not or could not choose individual graves. A communal grave is one where the exclusive right of burial is retained by the burial authority, allowing for unrelated individuals to be buried in the same grave, sometimes on the same day. Each burial was performed with respect and separated by layers of soil, and the grave would eventually be capped and grassed over once full.
While many of these graves were unmarked, in some cases, small memorials were placed in memory of the individuals buried there. Burial records were kept, allowing thousands of people to trace the resting places of their loved ones over the years.
Changing Approaches to Infant Burial
Between the 1950s and 1970s, it was widely believed by medical professionals and society that the best course of action for mothers after the loss of a baby was to ‘move on’ by not participating in the funeral. Hospitals would typically arrange for the burial of stillborn babies in communal graves, often without informing the parents. This was thought to help the mother recover more quickly from the loss.
In more enlightened times, we now understand the importance of providing parents with choices and support in these difficult moments. Today, a wide range of burial, cremation, and memorialisation options are available to parents, along with emotional and financial support. The ICCM’s Charter for the Bereaved places parents’ rights at the forefront of service provision.
Commitment to Transparency and Support
We are aware that Freedom of Information (FOI) requests have been made to local authorities, seeking details about unmarked graves containing stillborn babies, the dates of these burials, and the availability of records. We support transparency and encourage the provision of accurate information wherever possible and practicable to respond to these queries.
Cemetery managers across the UK adhere to strict regulations to ensure that all infant burials are carried out with dignity and respect. We continue to work closely with local authorities to uphold these standards and provide compassionate support to families during their most difficult times.
We encourage families seeking information about past burials to contact local cemetery offices, where staff are available to assist. While many burial records remain in physical archives, efforts are underway in many local authorities to digitise these records for easier access.
We urge that any further discussions on this matter be approached thoughtfully and with sensitivity. Our deepest sympathies go out to all families affected by these issues.
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For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Maria Bailey at 07932 644771 or via email at maria.bailey@iccm-uk.com.