Pictured: Cllr Stacey Devine, James Baillie (Falkirk Council) and monumental sculpture staff from Thomas Grieve & Son at Muiravonside Cemetery
More than 350 headstones have been restored in Muiravonside Cemetery by Falkirk Council as part of a £120,000 investment designed to improve the overall safety of the cemetery.
The work, which the council has a statutory obligation to carry out to ensure the safety of staff and visitors, is the latest to be undertaken as part of the council's Headstone Stabilisation Programme.
Launched in 2018, the programme has so far secured 2,000 headstones in local cemeteries that were unstable due to age, weather, or other factors.
The programme – funded through the council’s capital budget - has not only helped maintain headstones that keep the memory of loved ones alive but also preserved those that have cultural and historical significance.
Inspection and repair
Pictured: Workers use a special hoist to lift the headstones back into position
Deciding whether a headstone needs reinforcement or not starts with a gentle 'hand test' to check for movement. If a headstone is stable, it is recorded as such. For those that are found to be unstable, signage is erected to highlight there is an issue with the headstone.
Because of the age of records, it can be extremely challenging to contact lair holders. That is why all memorials greater than 625mm in height are assessed, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the programme.
New measures
Pictured: With the headstone now upright, it can be secured into place once more.
Over the years, proactive measures to enhance the stability and longevity of headstones has been undertaken by the council.
This includes replacing brick foundations with concrete ones, drilling and coring all component connections of the memorial headstone, and installing steel threaded dowels before re-erecting the headstones.
Cllr Stacey Devine, Falkirk Council’s portfolio holder for Public Protection, said:
"This programme is a vital part of our commitment to preserving the heritage and safety of our community's cemeteries. By stabilising and restoring these headstones, we are ensuring that the resting places of our loved ones remain dignified and secure. The progress at Muiravonside Cemetery is a testament to our dedication to maintaining the final resting places of much-loved relatives for future generations."