SIR,

Can anybody tell me what is happening with Monmouth's new cemetery?

My elderly mother has decided to arrange her funeral and I am told that before she can do so she must purchase a plot for her burial (she has no wish to be cremated).

Unfortunately Monmouth cemetery I am told is now closed. Most of her family are buried there, with a few exceptions, dating back to 1800s.

My mother brought myself and my sister up alone in the 50s, she did this by running a small vegetable shop in Monnow Street, supplied mainly from my grandfather and uncle, both Tom Griffiths. In all her years, Monmouth has been her life and she has never wished to stray very far from it. She is from an old Monmouth family who have dedicated themselves to Monmouth, especially my grandfather Tom Griffiths Senior.

I am told by the undertaker Mr Heal who has been most helpful and seems to know more than the local authority that the only places available for burial is Forest of Dean or Usk. Can you imagine how my mother feels to be laid to rest somewhere which is totally alien to her. This is a disgraceful situation.

The local authority can only say that there are plenty of surrounding small churches where she could be buried. Has anyone tried? There is one particular church where she has brother/ sisters and inlaws buried and we have a local connection, but when I approached the vicar it was an emphatic no and caused much unpleasantness and upset. I even appealed to the Bishop, but he would not intervene. The vicar has told a relative of mine there is no way he would ever allow it. This was a few months ago and I still find it very upsetting.

Does everyone know that it is totally up to the local vicar who or who not can be buried there?

This is an intolerable situation and Monmouth local authority is dragging its feet. I can find no information about a new burial ground for Monmouth.

Mrs Isobel Hoare

(Monmouth)