Hi all

Many many thanks to our new and continuing supporters - please keep sharing and signing. Also thanks to the donators helping get our message our there, we would never ask you for money but it is so kind you have given it.

We also won't ask you to write to the council at the moment as that's your choice, and they have been clear they have no intentions of changing rules at the present time. However, if you do wish to offer us further support or even make councillors aware of your support and concerns please feel free to email them (more details below).

Many apologies for the radio silence the last few days, we've been a little under the weather but still doing things behind the scenes.

One of these is contacting various officials to try and bottom out once and for all who can do what re Council rules as the information the otherside is giving is very confusing.

We have heard from MPs, MSPs and councillors that cemeteries come under the council governance. The council and only the council can decide on cemetery matters.

The council have clearly stated they reviewed the rules two months ago and will NOT be reviewing or changing them in the near future.

This makes us wonder what are the other petiton asking for exactly? Are they wanting governance of council cemetries to be moved up a tier and for MSPs or even MPs to deal with cemetery matters - we know they have talked about a Scottish Government petition. Or are they hoping if they put enough pressure on officials they will change their minds. 

In relation wondering if they are trying to change the governance of cemetries we'd like to revisit the review we shared on 8th of February (now shared by the other petition) which states the council had complaints for 4 of 43 Edinburgh Council cemetries. We personally wonder about changing rules city wide nevermind country wide. Do we even know statistics in other councils? How they manage issues? What are their issues? What are their budgets? We know our own council has very limited funds to deal with issues and as a result uses targeted innovative measures rather than city wide measures. Is it really fair to change rules to cemetries over Scotland based on 4 cemetries in Edinburgh?

Of course we are merely pondering and asking questions we have no idea why the other petition has not accepted council decisions or what their plan is.

Onto contacts - it's good to talk. We've again been thinking about useful contacts for you in addition to contacts already shared and how you can contact us - it was a bit complicated doing it through nextdoor.

If you want to contact us to share your support, your story or even for some support in this potentially stressful time please feel free to contact us at:

cemeteries4all@yahoo.com

Support Services

We understand that both petitions are talking about a very sensitive subject and this may be difficult for people. With this in mind we'd like to offer some support information  should anyone need it. Most of these services offer a range of services, such as, in person or signposting to resources which may help you. There are other services available, we or people we know have found these helpful so we thought we'd share something we have tried and tested. Please remember if you are struggling it will get better and you don't have to go through it alone.

Your GP 

Your gp can talk through your problems and help refer you to useful services, therapies or even or prescribe medication if needed.

Cruse Scotland Bereavement Support specalise in supporting people experiencing a bereavement, no matter what happened or when. Their phonelines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm

Phone: 0800 802 6161

Website: https://www.crusescotland.org.uk/

The Samaritans can offer help if you are struggling with any matter but particularly if you are in crisis. They are available 24/7 every day.

Phone: 116 123

Website: https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland

PTSD UK aims to help those with PTSD no matter the cause of PTSD and can give information on signs and symptoms, coping methods and services.

Website: https://www.ptsduk.org/

Your local councillor 

Whether you want to contact them for a private matter or to support us you must contact the councillor/s connected to where you live - even if the cemetery your loved ones are in is not in the area you live in.

If you do not feel comfortable giving them your full address then street name or postcode should be OK as long as you clearly state why. They are very supportive and sensitive re thhis.

Website: https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0

Useful council numbers - for reporting a number of issues:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/report

For cemetery specific concerns where the above does not give you a contact you can contact:

Bereavement Services
Working Hours 0131 664 4314 
Out of Hours 0131 200 2000
or email:
bereavement@edinburgh.gov.uk