Scots council spends whopping £3.4million to exhume bodies from flooded graves

A Scottish council has spent a staggering £3.4 million on the exhumation of bodies from hundreds of flooded graves in two main cemeteries. South Ayrshire Council confirmed the significant costs they faced while addressing a major crisis at burial grounds in Ayr and Troon. The largest cemetery in Ayr, managed by the local authority, was embroiled in a scandal in 2022 due to drainage issues that led to the discovery of 126 waterlogged plots. Subsequently, flooding was also identified at Troon Cemetery later that same year, affecting 87 graves, including 51 with occupants.

In response to the situation, the council enlisted the expertise of graves exhumer Peter Mitchell to address the issue. Families were informed that their deceased loved ones needed to be relocated before being reinterred. The remedial work, reported by BBC Scotland, has now been completed, with a significant portion of the £3.4 million allocated towards repairing plots and assisting affected families at Ayr Cemetery. The final cost for remediation work at Troon Cemetery amounted to just under £750,000.

South Ayrshire Council expressed their commitment to supporting the affected families throughout the process, stating, “We made a commitment to the affected families that we would do everything possible to resolve any issues with the burial chambers at Ayr and Troon cemeteries,” in a formal statement. Families affected by the water scandal in the ‘extension’ part of the cemetery criticized the council for their handling of the situation, including the communication of the exhumation requirement and the conducting of meetings at a nearby crematorium during funerals.

Families shared their anguish, describing the ordeal as “torture” and expressing their distress over having to rebury their loved ones. Despite the challenges faced, South Ayrshire Council reassured that ongoing support would be provided to the affected families. Reflecting on the significant financial burden and emotional toll of the exhumation process, the council emphasised their commitment to resolving the crisis and supporting those impacted by these unforeseen circumstances.