Sunbury cemetery to offer faster burials
A Surrey council is to offer burials within 24 hours of death for families who previously have had to go to neighbouring towns.
The service, at Sunbury cemetery, is likely to be available early next year, Spelthorne Borough Council said.
"There are many people in our society who want to be buried within 24 hours for cultural or religious reasons," said Councillor Penny Forbes-Forsyth.
She said some Irish Catholics, as well as Muslims and Jews wanted the service.
Burials within 24 hours are currently offered by Epsom and Ewell, Elmbridge, Reigate and Banstead and Runnymede councils in Surrey.
Waverley is looking to introduce them as part of a new improved grounds maintenance contract.
Ms Forbes-Forsyth said burials within Spelthorne currently had to be booked four days ahead.
If approved by the full council in December, burials within 24 hours would be offered during normal weekday working hours.
"At the moment we don't know exactly how much demand there is," she said.
"We are just going to get the guys to prepare the graves faster than they would normally do, which just requires manpower which we believe we can provide."