It is a perennial problem, finding more and more cemetery space, but burials at the historic Arbuthnott Church are to continue for the foreseeable future through the acquisition of a farm field near the kirkyard.
The church of St Ternan’s at Arbuthnott, consecrated in 1242, is believed to be the oldest in Scotland still in regular use and remaining plots in the kirkyard, in demand by far-flung exiles as well as locals, are selling out fast.
Mearns councillors have, however, backed a plan for an extension into a grass field to the north-west that will provide for an additional 389 burial lairs, 108 casket lairs and parking for 17 cars. The site will be enclosed with stock-proof fencing and a peripheral beech hedge.
While the site has not been allocated for new development, councillors are agreed it is the logical option, given that an extension to the kirkyard has to be found.
The development is conditional on any archaeological remains being safeguarded and recorded.
Historic Scotland is satisfied that there will be no adverse impact on the category A-listed church or surrounding landscape.
Although the cremation rate has risen sharply over the past decade, funeral directors and cemetery officials say the scarcity of graveyard space is to be an intensifying problem as the baby boom generation moves through its golden years.
Some project the annual death rate will as much as double over the next two decades.
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of roads and landscape services, Philip McKay, said there was an ongoing programme of burial ground extension.
The council manages 216 burial grounds, of which 35 have had to be closed after lairs sold out.
“Officers monitor the availability of lairs in each burial ground and once they have reached a set point of capacity, we instigate investigations into an extension, either on to adjoining land where appropriate or a new site,” Mr McKay said.
“Plans for eight burial ground extensions and two new cemeteries are in various stages of development.”