Bereavement Services News and Events
News and Events
Updated Updated 06/02/2024
Dignity have released their 35 year Strategic Plan together with a more operational plan. The plans together provide the detail of burial space that is available currently and points to future plans. It is the role of Dignity to identify space within the current land to enable burials to take place. The operational plan was updated on 6th February 2024 and is available below.
The Council continues to identify and provide land for future burial provision per its contractual responsibility. Dignity is contractually obliged to develop this land and bring into operational use.
The Council’s Bereavement Services will continue to work closely with Dignity to monitor operational years remaining in existing municipal cemeteries and request periodic updates to the operational plan which will indicate when further external developments are required. This information will be presented annually to the Improving Places Select Committee alongside Dignity’s annual performance report.
To note presently there is available:
East Herringthorpe – in excess of 12 years;
Greasbrough – in excess of 10 years;
Haugh Road – in excess of 10 years;
Muslim Section of East Herringthorpe – in excess of 7 years;
Maltby Cemetery – 5 years
Wath – in excess of 10 years
If you would like know more about Dignity's plans you can find more information below:
Dignity's 35 Year Strategic Plan
Dignity's Operational Burial Plan
Dignity's Operational Burial Plan: Appendix 1 East Herringthorpe Cemetery Operation Map
Role and Responsibilities of RMBC Bereavement Services
Through regular site visits and collaborative working with Dignity, Bereavement Services are responsible for managing the contract between Rotherham Council and Dignity to ensure that contractual obligations have been met alongside fulfilling other projects that have been agreed.
Roles and Responsibilities of Dignity
Dignity is contracted by Rotherham Council to provide all operational duties within the cemeteries and crematorium which includes maintenance of all nine municipal cemeteries. Dignity is the main contact for cemetery visitors and the public. Their office is based at East Herringthorpe Cemetery and Crematorium.
Roles and Responsibilities of Glendale
Glendale work closely with Dignity to ensure all the grounds are maintained to a high standard.
Their duties include;
- Clearing rubbish bins
- Cutting large grass areas
- Making sure walkways and paths are safe
- Remove graffiti
- Keeping all drains clear
- Making sure all taps, and facilities are in working order
- Digging graves
Contact Information
RMBC Bereavement Services
Contact RMBC Bereavement Services
Dignity Funerals Limited
East Herringthorpe Cemetery
Ridgeway
Rotherham
S65 3NN
Tel: 01709 850344
Death Cafés
The Council’s Bereavement Service is working in conjunction with Rotherham Libraries to host Death Cafés across the borough.
Death Cafes are an informal get together with no set agenda offering people a safe space to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences about life and death. These cafes provide somewhere to go if you are struggling to come to terms with what death means, helping prevent isolation and loneliness.
Professionals from services such as funeral directors, hospice, hospitals, and registrars will offer advice and support on additional dates, to answer questions, dispel myths and help make talking about death less of a taboo subject.
It is important to note that a Death Café is not a specialised grief support or counselling session though staff can sign post individuals to these services where required.
To attend one of these cafes, please visit Riverside House Library and Neighbourhood Hub on the third Saturday of every month at 12pm to 2pm.
Please note that the next one will now be held on Saturday 18 January 2025.