Clitheroe, Lancashire Cemetery in the UK May Expand to Include Muslim Burial Area

By Abdullahi Yusuf

A Lancashire cemetery could be extended into an adjoining field to accommodate future burials, with the potential addition of a designated Muslim burial area, under proposals being considered by Ribble Valley Council.

The council’s Health and Housing Committee is set to decide whether Clitheroe’s Waddington Road Cemetery, the only operational council-owned burial site in the Ribble Valley, should remain strictly non-denominational or be adjusted to allow for religious groupings. The cemetery, in use since 1861, offers traditional burials, woodland burials, and the burial of cremated remains. The borough council expanded the cemetery in the late 1990s to provide more space, with the newer section remaining non-denominational, meaning it currently has no restrictions on religious groups.

Grave plots are allocated systematically, ensuring efficient use of available space, according to a report for councillors. However, the historic section of the cemetery is now full and had specific areas designated for Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Church of England burials.

Regarding future capacity, the report states there are currently 180 burial plots and 90 ashes plots available in the operational part of the cemetery, expected to last around seven or eight years. Additionally, there are 25 spaces left in the woodland burial area.

The council acquired a 7.7-acre adjoining field in 2011, which could provide space for approximately 800 graves per acre. A planning application would be required to proceed with its development, addressing issues like drainage, groundwater, environmental impact, and cemetery design.

Local Muslim representatives have also approached the council, requesting a designated Muslim burial area with around 60 plots. This would involve additional costs for specific plot spacing and hand-mowing of grass to avoid vehicles crossing the plots, though the costs would be offset by specialized fees.

Currently, there are no suitable burial sites for Muslim residents within the Ribble Valley, so local Muslims are interred in neighbouring areas such as Blackburn, Hyndburn, and Pendle, where dedicated Muslim burial sections exist.

According to the 2021 Census, the Ribble Valley’s population is 61,907, with 1.3% identifying as Muslim, roughly 800 people. Councillors will be asked to consider how to address current and future burial needs, including whether to reserve up to 60 plots in the existing operational area or design a dedicated Muslim burial section in the proposed extension. They will also need to decide if Muslim graves can be positioned to face east, towards Mecca, and whether to incorporate a separating feature, such as a path or line of shrubs, to delineate the Muslim section.

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