FOI request (FOIR-103840750)

I am applying under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for information about burials and cremations from the council.

Please could you provide the following:

1.    Number of grave spaces available at present, broken down by site

2.    The number of burials that are carried out each year for the years 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

3.    The number of cremations carried out each year for the years 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

4.    How long will it be until the council runs out of grave space?

5.    Are there any plans to expand the councils burial space at present? If so, what are they?

6.    How much does it cost for an individual to be buried in the graveyards?

7.    How much does it cost for an individual to be cremated?

Q1 - Hastings Borough Council has one site which is separated into Traditional, Lawned, Natural, Cremated Remains, and babies and unallocated.

Traditional we have over 1000 dotted around the older parts of the cemetery.

Lawned - over 500 in current sections.

Natural - estimated against space already used in the section 700 left.

Cremated remains – just over 1200 in current sections

Babies- over 250 in current section

Unallocated sections estimated over 5000 usable spaces, pending tree clearance and ground levelling.

Q2 -

Full earth burials

2014                      88

2015                      100

2016                      87

2017                      87

2018                      70

2019 to Jan 31)       10

Q3 - The number of cremations carried out each year for the years 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Cremations

2014                      1406

2015                      1471

2016                      1452

2017                      1491

2018                      1522

2019 to Jan 31)       129

Q4 - At current rate around 40 years (pending tree clearance and ground levelling)

Q5 - No plans over space currently available for development

Q6 –

Interment fee (free for 18 and under)

£688

Optional purchase of Exclusive Right of Burial

Traditional - £1448

Lawned - £898

Natural - £453

Cremated remains - £731

Babies - Free of charge to residents

Fees normally doubled for no residents.

Q7 -

9.30am time slot - £619

10.15am Onwards - £750

Funeral slots every 45 minutes up to and including 3.30pm