Content

10.1

The Executive Director Neighbourhood Services
submitted a report presenting the strategic plan for future cemetery provision in
Sheffield, aligned with the appended City-Wide Cemetery Plan. The
Strategy and Resources Committee is asked to agree this strategic
direction and confirm its continued oversight of the
programme.
 

The report outlines the significant size, scale,
and cost implications of delivering this plan, while reaffirming
that the Council is not under a statutory duty to provide cemetery
services. Nonetheless, the Council has committed to maintaining and
expanding burial provision in response to community need and public
health priorities.

This report provides a robust and evidence-based
framework for addressing Sheffield’s burial space challenges
and offers a clear and accountable pathway for delivery through the
Council’s governance
arrangements.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) notes the contents of the report, including
the updated burial space analysis and the progress made since March
2025 in identifying and assessing potential new cemetery
sites;
 
(b) agrees the strategic plan for future cemetery
provision in Sheffield as set out in paragraph 2.1.2 and the
appended Citywide Cemetery Plan and endorses the continuation of
work to secure and deliver new cemetery sites that meet the
city’s long-term needs;
 
(c) acknowledges that while the Council is not
under a statutory duty to provide cemetery services (as outlined in
section 8.2), it will assume statutory responsibilities for any
cemeteries it chooses to operate under the Local Authorities’
Cemeteries Order;
 
(d) supports the urgent interim measures proposed
at City Road Cemetery to extend Muslim burial capacity by an
estimated 6 to 12 months;
 
(e) recognises the significant size, scale, and
cost of investment required to deliver the Citywide Cemetery Plan,
including the projected need for a minimum of 12 and up to 24
hectares of new burial land and associated infrastructure;
 
(f) notes that the six shortlisted sites have
undergone initial feasibility assessments and collectively offer
sufficient land to meet projected requirements, with site names
withheld in this report due to commercial confidentiality;
 
(g) endorses the next phase of work as set out in
section 2.2.4, including the development of a detailed programme
plan, further feasibility assessments, and a clear timeline for
delivery, with the next report to Committee expected within three
months; and
 
(h) confirms that this Committee will retain
strategic oversight of this programme through the Council’s
governance arrangements, ensuring transparency, accountability, and
alignment with community needs and Council
priorities.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

Sheffield is facing increasing
pressure on burial space and without intervention, citywide burial
provision will be exhausted in approximately 5 to 7.5 years, with
existing Muslim burial space estimated to run out in approximately
3 years. To address this, the Strategy and Resources Committee is
asked to support the strategic direction outlined in the report,
which aims to deliver inclusive, sustainable, and
community-responsive cemetery provision. This includes recognising
the scale of investment required, noting progress made since March
2025, and confirming continued strategic
oversight.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Alternative Option
1: Do nothing
This option would involve
continuing with existing cemetery provision without identifying or
developing new burial space. It has been rejected as it would mean
Sheffield City Council would run out of burial space within 7.5
years, and within approximately 3 years for Muslim burials. The
impact of running out of burial land would be far-reaching,
affecting the emotional wellbeing of residents, placing pressure on
funeral services, and creating significant challenges in urban
planning, infrastructure, and community relations. This option is
therefore not considered viable.

 

 

10.4.2

Alternative Option
2: Rely on private sector provision
This option would involve encouraging private
providers to deliver new cemetery space in Sheffield. It has been
rejected because cemeteries are not typically commercially viable
and do not generate sufficient income to attract private
investment, except in specialist circumstances. There is currently
only a small private cemetery offer in Sheffield, and identifying
suitable land would remain a challenge. Relying on private
provision would also limit the Council’s ability to ensure
inclusive access for all communities, particularly those with
specific religious or cultural requirements, and would reduce
control over service standards, environmental sustainability, and
long-term planning. This option is therefore not considered
viable.

 

 

10.4.3

Alternative Option
3: Deliver a scaled-back offer
This option would involve planning for a reduced
level of provision. While it would require less land and lower
upfront investment, it has been rejected as not cost-efficient in
the long term. A scaled-back offer would limit opportunities to
include commercial services such as funeral facilities,
cafés, and memorial gardens, which are important for
enhancing the service offer and generating income to support site
management.

Crucially, this option does not reflect the feedback from nearly
3,000 residents during the citywide consultation, which showed
strong support for improved facilities, faith-specific provision,
and environmentally sustainable options. A scaled-back approach
would undermine these priorities and risk delivering a service that
does not meet the expectations of Sheffield’s diverse
communities.