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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ryan Thom

Ayr Cemetery crisis: Bereavement charity drafted in to console devastated families

A bereavement specialist has been drafted in to help devastated Ayr Cemetery families.

The national charity is set to give expert support along with funeral directors.

They have vowed to meet with families in person in Ayr as well as offering telephone and online counselling.

Council leader Martin Dowey has also promised Ayrshire Live that he will meet with heartbroken relatives on an individual basis to offer his support.

In a statement today Cllr Dowey says resolving the water ingress crisis is a priority.

And the Conservative politician has vowed to discuss with families their needs regarding reburials.

But families say that the apology is "too little, too late."

Cllr Dowey told Ayrshire Live: "I will personally meet with any families who are not happy, and if should any of them feel the need to speak to someone."

126 graves were confirmed to be under water earlier this month.

Families were told the horrific news that loved ones will have to be exhumed as part of the painstaking work to remove water and reseal underground chambers after water issues were discovered.

Councillor Dowey added: “I have written to the families with loved ones affected by the water issues at Ayr Cemetery extension to apologise for the current situation.

"I can’t begin to imagine what they are going through, and I wanted to let them know that resolving the problem is a priority.

Cllr Dowey says the council will do "whatever we can to accommodate their wishes," regarding reburials.

Families in Troon will also be written to after it was confirmed that 39 graves could be affected by the same 'water issues'.

Cllr Dowey insists that "lessons have been learned" after the Ayr crisis which led to families blasting council chiefs and threatening legal action.

He added: "We are in contact with families with loved ones in chambers at Troon Cemetery. I would like to reassure those families that lessons have been learned, and we are focusing on their needs, as we work to resolve any issues uncovered there too."

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