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Cemetery Closure Sparks Anger

Fri, 10 Apr 2020

There has been an angry reaction to the closure of cemeteries due to coronavirus restrictions.

Douglas Borough Council suffered a fierce backlash on their facebook page when they announced the cemetery opposite the TT Grandstand was to be closed.

Many people said the decision was ludicrous as they aren’t a place where people gather in any great number and that it was a place where people can go for quiet reflection at their loved ones graves.

The Council said the decision was taken simply to comply with the Manx Government emergency regulations which stated that the facilities must close.

On Friday evening, the Vicar of Kirk Braddan Revd. Daniel Richards announced that Braddan Cemetery will also now be closed. A statement read:

To all our visitors,

We are very sorry to announce that, in accordance with all Stay At Home advice and current restrictions regarding coronavirus and the use of premises, access to the Cemetery will close to the general public from this afternoon, and only be open for the use of funerals. Please therefore do not use any of the access points to cross our grounds.

We know this comes at the very worst time for many of us, who use the Easter weekend to visit graves and lay flowers and memorials for loved ones. We wish this decision were not the case so please know it is not taken lightly and is under regular review. We are very grateful to those authorities whose advice we have sought, as they know how difficult this time is for everyone. As we cannot encourage the potential for large numbers of people to inadvertently gather at a time where this traditionally happens, and are not in a position to police such gatherings as other venues can (such as shops etc.), we make this decision in order to keep everyone safe. We must also take the welfare of our staff into consideration, and cannot put them at risk at such a fragile time. 

Thank you for your understanding and we will endeavour to open our gates again as soon as possible. Until then, please do follow all the necessary guidance of social distancing and hygiene. Ultimately, keep yourselves, your loved ones, and everyone safe and healthy: stay at home, protect society, preserve life in all its fullness.

We pray Easter is a hopeful and peaceful time for all, and God’s blessing be with each of us.

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