Burials are taking place in a previously unused section in the north of Rye Cemetery, after available space in the southern ('lawn') part ran out.
Rother District Council (RDC) confirmed the new section forms part of the cemetery's third division area — informally known as Union Workhouse Field — and is located in the most northerly part of the cemetery — right next to Cemetery Cottage.
It appears that about half a dozen graves have already been placed in this area. RDC's cemeteries officer reveals: "It is not possible to say how long the capacity will last; however, there is sufficient space for many more years to come. No other part of the cemetery will be reused".
Several hundred unmarked graves already exist in the field, between the newly designated area and the garden of rest. These informal burials between 1845 and 1940 comprised staff and residents - men, women and children - from the neighbouring Rye Union Workhouse.
In 1929 the large Victorian building evolved into a public assistance institution known as the Retreat. Following its use by the army in the second world war the facility became Hill House Hospital (1949-1980), run by the NHS and caring for the mentally and physically handicapped. The grade II listed building has recently been totally renovated and now provides 16 residential flats.
RDC says the new graves area in Union Workhouse Field will accommodate Church of England adherents and if they so wish people with no religion, while another area in the west of the field is reserved for Catholic and non-conformist burials.
At the recent Rye annual town meeting a local undertaker, Jackie Richards, made a plea for Rye Town Council to take control of the cemetery.
Indeed, being buried these days can prove a rather expensive business. RDC charges £1,176 for burial in Rye Cemetery and an additional identical fee is charged for exclusive rights of burial for 50 years. For £297 a full-size burial plot can be reserved for five years. A smaller charge of £152 is made to apply for a headstone. The headstone itself, purchased privately, could easily cost between £750 and £1,400.
Local residents might be surprised to know that the aforementioned council fees double if "any person who at the time of death was not a council tax payer or resident of the Rother District and has not so resided at any time during the 12 months preceding his or her death".
