Families wishing to bury their loved ones in Caterham cemetery are being told that there is no more space available and they will have to make arrangements for a burial elsewhere. Most bereaved families are not aware of the situation until funeral plans are being made after losing a loved one. Local resident, Peter Jenner, wanted the situation highlighted in the local press following the traumatic experience of his friend, Peter Wyer, when he lost his wife Susan in December. Mr Jenner said: "Tandridge District Council has known for some years that burial plots at Caterham cemetery were running short but no alternative arrangements were made. This was despite the fact that an adjacent plot next to St. Mary's Church remained undeveloped for years." Speaking of his personal experience, Peter Wyer said: "Susan grew up in Caterham and so did her parents so I was horrified to find there were no spaces in Caterham cemetery to bury her. It was harrowing having to try and find somewhere for her to be buried. You would not believe the anguish it caused, it was exhausting. In the end Susan was buried at All Saints cemetery in Warlingham."

In most cases burials are now taking place at Green Lawns cemetery in Chelsham, managed by Croydon Council.

Mr Jenner added: "A burial at Green Lawns cemetery costs considerably more than a burial at Caterham cemetery. An elderly person living in Caterham who loses a family member or friend will not only find this additional cost prohibitive, the distance they will need to travel to visit the grave of a loved one will prove extremely difficult mindful of imminent cuts to local bus services between Caterham and Chelsham."

A statement from Tandridge District Council said: "We agree local residents should be able to be buried alongside other members of their families, or at their local graveyard. Unfortunately, there is no more space left for burials at the Caterham Burial Ground. This is a common problem across the country and was addressed on national Radio 4 last week. "There is no statutory duty on the Council to provide a burial ground, which means it is not a priority at a time when we are trying to maintain our key services, while having to make savings. The cost of buying land and turning it into a burial ground would be considerable and the Council does not have the resources to do this, even if it was agreed. There are also planning matters to be taken into consideration. Until about 20 years ago, cemeteries were identified in national Green Belt policy as being an acceptable item in a Green Belt. Following national Planning Policy Guidance in 1992 about Green Belts (PPG2) that presumption was removed. It is unlikely a new cemetery would now be identified as 'appropriate development' and 'very special circumstances' would need to be demonstrated to justify a grant of permission. Accordingly, planning permission has always been a major issue in terms of burial provision. Some proposals have been made, but have been withdrawn prior to a likely refusal being issued. Even if a site was identified and 'very special circumstances' put forward, it would still be difficult to resolve, because of the usual opposition to such schemes. We are looking to discuss some joint provision with Croydon Council. Without prejudice to the outcome of any application that may be made, this might be a way to enable provision through possibly extending a current burial ground within the district."