Walsall Cemetery Flooding Forces Heartbreaking Exhumation of Loved One
A Walsall resident has spoken out about the distressing experience of having a loved one exhumed from North Walsall Cemetery after the burial plot flooded, describing the site as a mud bath that left the casket bowed and falling apart upon removal. Karon Senft recounted the heartbreaking day when the deceased was reburied elsewhere at the council's expense, following weeks of complaints about the waterlogged conditions.
Poor Drainage and Glacial Till Issues
The Saddleworth Road cemetery is known for its poor drainage, attributed to its location on a glacial till, which makes the soil less able to absorb water. The loved one was buried in a cremation plot in April 2023, but ground conditions deteriorated rapidly after rainfall, turning the area into a quagmire. Karon described the scene during the initial burial, stating that relatives and even the vicar were caked in mud, with one wheelchair-bound family member unable to get close due to the treacherous terrain.
Council Response and Family Outrage
After persistent complaints, Walsall Council agreed to exhume and rebury the deceased at their own cost. However, Karon claimed she was told the family could have chosen a non-flooding plot for an extra £85, information not provided when the plot was sold. She expressed anger over the lack of transparency, saying, They should be ashamed of themselves selling people plots over the phone. The exhumation revealed the wooden casket was so waterlogged it fell apart after only ten weeks in the ground, compounding the family's grief.
Ongoing Concerns and Council Statement
Karon has called for the council to stop selling plots in the affected area, emphasizing the emotional toll on families. In response, a council spokesperson acknowledged the importance of safe and dignified visits, citing recent investment in additional drainage at North Walsall Cemetery. They attributed the flooding to prolonged rainfall and assured that teams are working to improve conditions, with monitoring ongoing as weather stabilizes.
