By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Gloucester council chiefs have apologised to the family and friends of two people that were buried in the wrong places.
The Coney Hill cemetery mix-up was made public at the City Council’s full meeting last week.
Councillor Alastair Chambers (Community Independents, Matson, Robinswood and White City) asked council chiefs about the “tragic” issue and requested an immediate investigation be carried out into the burials at the cemetery.
The council said it was aware of two burials in recent years that were done in the wrong location within the cemetery grounds.
They say they have followed all processes and procedures to move the graves to the correct locations and have been working sensitively with the families involved.
It is understood the two burials happened in wrong locations for unrelated reasons.
The council said that at no point were families and friends of the deceased present at the wrong burial.
“I am both shocked and deeply saddened to learn that the city council has been burying bodies in the wrong graves,” Cllr Chambers said.
“It’s hard to believe that such a devastating mistake could even happen. I’m grateful that residents felt they could turn to me to investigate this.
“Many said they came to me because they saw my previous investigation into the city council-run crematorium and graveyard, where groundskeepers were seen driving over graves and damaging headstones.
“They also remembered how I stood up for families when the council began removing decorative borders placed lovingly around the graves of their loved ones.”
A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said they apologise to the family and friends of the bereaved.
They have worked with them and supported them through the process.
“During Members’ questions at the council meeting on 27 March 2025 it was requested that an investigation be carried out into incorrect burials at the cemetery.
“The council is aware of two graves in recent years that have been placed in the wrong location within the cemetery grounds.
“We have followed all processes and procedures to move those graves to the correct locations in the cemetery, and have been working sensitively with the families involved to resolve these.
“We apologise to the family and friends of the bereaved and we would like to reassure the public that we have worked with and supported the families throughout this process.
“Our thoughts and feelings remain with the family and friends of the deceased.“