Letchworth to take North Herts burials with graveyards full

The problem has been long-anticipated by North Hertfordshire Council, with a cabinet meeting way back in 2017 deciding that Wilbury Hills Cemetery would provide district-wide provision for burials once the other facilities reached capacity.

This has now happened, with Hitchin Cemetery in St John's Road and Royston Cemetery in Melbourn Road both full, while Baldock Cemetery is close to capacity too.

Wilbury Hills Cemetery in Letchworth. (Image: Google Maps)

"St John’s Cemetery in Hitchin has been at capacity for full burials since around the beginning of this year," a North Herts Council spokesperson told this newspaper.

"It is still operating for pre-purchased graves and re-open internments, for example when family members are added to a plot, and there are some limited cremated remains grave spaces available.

"We anticipated Hitchin Cemetery becoming full - as is happening in other parts of the country - and it was reported to the council’s cabinet in 2017.

Hitchin Cemetery. (Image: Google Maps)

"We don’t have any space left in Royston either, so any new burials are directed to Wilbury Hills Cemetery in Letchworth. This will also be the case for Baldock as it reaches capacity."

The spokesperson did confirm that "this does not affect any local parish cemeteries or churchyards in the villages which may still have capacity".

Cllr Mick Debenham, executive member for environment, leisure and greenspaces, said: "Shortage of grave space is an issue in London and elsewhere but we ensured North Herts would have capacity in the future at Wilbury Hills Cemetery in Letchworth, which caters for all faiths."

Royston Cemetery. (Image: Google Maps)