South Lanarkshire Council has a duty of care to provide a safe environment for both visitors and staff.

Strathaven is the latest cemetery to be inspected as part of checks being carried out at all 55 cemeteries across South Lanarkshire.

Fully-trained operatives carry out the checks, and when a headstone is found to be unsafe, lair owners are contacted in writing and a sign is attached to the headstone advising that there is an issue with its stability.

If the headstone shows significant movement and is deemed unsafe the headstone is immediately secured by use of wooden posts and banding. 

Advice is then given that the lair owner should contact the memorial mason who erected the headstone to look at the possibility of making a suitable repair.

Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “We do not have the right or the responsibility to make repairs to headstones.

“However, should the lair holder not make contact within the designated timescale, we may lay the headstone flat or ‘trench in’ the headstone to ensure safety.

“We acknowledge that in some cases families may be attending the lair without full knowledge of the process and we would apologise in advance for any distress caused.”

Information will be posted on the notice boards at the entrance to each cemetery when inspections are taking place. 

Should you wish to discuss any matter arising please email Bereavement Services or call 0303 123 1016. 

You can also find out more on the Bereavement Services web page.