Cemetery Strategy Engagement - Page 1 of 3 - Scottish Borders Council

1. Contact details – To help us recognise where you are from please enter the first 4 letters/numbers of your postcode

Please explain (Required)

2. Contact details - If you would like to be kept informed about the Cemetery Strategy for consultation, please provide us with your Email address (optional)

Please explain

3. In what role are you responding to this consultation? (Tick all that apply)

(Required) • Resident of the Scottish Borders • Representative of a religious or faith group • Representative of a community • Representative of a charity • Funeral director • Stone mason or other business • Other

5. Do you visit cemeteries/burial grounds in the Scottish Borders? If Yes how often, please select below?

(Required) Yes No

• Daily • Weekly • Monthly • Six monthly • Annually • On an occasional basis

6. What is the reason(s) for your visit(s)? (tick all that apply)

• To attend a funeral • To visit a relative or friend’s grave • For personal interest – e.g. family history, local heritage • Other

7. Do you have a preferred choice when planning your, or your loved ones funeral?

(Required) • Burial • Cremation • Unsure as yet • Prefer not to answer

8. What is/are your reason(s) for this preference? (tick all that apply)

(Required) • My personal choice • My culture • My religion • Family tradition • Cost • Prefer not to answer

10. Are you aware of Exclusive Right of Burial (ERoB)?

(Required) Yes No

If No, If No,

Exclusive Rights of Burial - grants a right of burial in relation to a particular lair and the right to determine whose remains may be interred in the lair. It also grants the right to apply for permission to erect a memorial. The right does not include ownership of the land itself, the ownership of the cemetery land remains within the council.

11. The succession of a Lair is the passing of a lair from one person to another, usually along family lines to next of kin. Would you consider adding the succession of your lair to your will?

(Required) Yes No

12. Under the Burials and Cremations (Scotland) Act 2016, Local Authorities will have the right to reclaim lairs which remain unused after 50 years in any area within our cemeteries. This can help to relieve pressure on supply of land to those who need it. Would you agree to this being integrated into the management and provision of burial grounds in the region?

(Required) Yes No

15. Do you believe that appropriate processes are in place to support an interment for your faith?

(Required) Yes No

17. How can we improve our service to ensure appropriate processes are put in place to support your religion and beliefs?

Please explain

18. If an option was made available within cemeteries, would you be interested in purchasing a cremation casket lair within a dedicated area within the cemetery?

(Required) Yes No

19. Do you have any other comments in relation to the possibility of cremation casket lairs being available in more cemeteries across the Scottish Borders?

Yes No

Please explain

21. Do you feel that it's fair to have a service that is not consistent across all cemeteries in the Scottish Borders in terms of lair pre-purchase?

(Required) Yes No

22. Do you think the lair pre-purchase should be removed as an option across all sites managed by Scottish Borders Council to ensure consistency?

(Required) Yes No

24. Do you think that there should be a maximum number of ornaments/adornments which are allowed to be placed on a lair?

(Required) Yes No

Please explain

25. In some communities, to enhance the appearance of the cemetery and to compliment the work that the Council operatives do, individual families choose to maintain their own lairs. Is this something you and/or your family would consider?

(Required) Yes No

26. If no, please specify what other forms of assistance from us may help enable you to maintain your lair (e.g. equipment, bins, storage etc)

Please explain

27. Grass cutting in older sections of some cemeteries across the region is carried out 1-2 times per year. Consideration could be given to creating wildflower areas within parts of some cemeteries, ensuring that lairs are not impacted. This could improve the look of the cemetery and encourage birds and bees. Do you think that this should be considered?

(Required) Yes No

28. Would you be interested in volunteering to help maintain a closed cemetery in your community?

(Required) Yes No

29. Do you have any other suggestions how the visual aspect of our cemeteries, including closed cemeteries could be improved in the future?

Please explain

30. Would the cost of burial fees change your decision on whether you would choose a burial or cremation?

(Required) Yes No

31. Do you feel the Council should improve opportunities for family research through a digitised burial system?

(Required) Yes No

32. Would you be interested in being a volunteer to help us add historical lair records onto the digitised system?

(Required) Yes No

33. Are there any additional commemorative options you feel Scottish Borders Council should consider offering?

Please explain

34. Do you have any other comments or additions in relation to a future Cemetery Strategy for the Scottish Borders?

Please explain