UNDERTAKERS had to abandon a hearse and carry the coffin of a 17-stone woman 200 yards to the grave because a cemetery was blocked by cars belonging to

people attending another funeral.

And elderly mourners travelling in cars behind the hearse, had to leave their vehicles even further away and walk to the graveside at Pleasington Cemetery, Blackburn.

"It was shocking, a disgrace," said a 76-year-old mourner who asked not to be named who had gone to the funeral of her friend, Mrs Irene Barabash.

"The undertakers had to carry the coffin on foot, and she was a big lady, around 17 stone.

"The first few cars got part way into the cemetery, but not down to the Ukrainian area where Mrs Barabash was being buried.

"Many of the people paying their respects were elderly and unable to walk far, but the other mourners refused to let anyone in cars pass through."

The woman said she understood the other funeral in the Muslim part of the cemetery had been called at short notice, though undertakers had to give 48 hours notice if they were burying people in other areas.

"It was very upsetting. This confusion and disruption at a time of silent meditation and condolence would not have happened if everyone had to follow the same rules."

Undertaker David Alty said: "We had to carry the coffin around 200 yards because the paths were blocked and there were no park rangers.

"I understand the other funeral had been arranged that day, but undertakers are told we have to give two working days notice for other sections of the cemetery," said Mr Alty. He added there had been similar problems before, and there would continue to be difficulties if funerals could take place at short notice, as it was impossible to plan ahead.

"I felt annoyed by the situation. We were trying to provide a good service for our clients, we are there to try and alleviate upset, but the cemetery was blocked and there was nothing we could do about it."

Blackburn Council head of outdoor amenities Tom Wilson insisted the council did not discriminate. "All cases are judged individually, we have co-operated with probably all the funeral directors in the past, we are flexible."

He said if there was a particular need for someone to be quickly buried in any part of the cemetery, the council would do its utmost to meet demand.

Asked why bookings were allowed to virtually clash, Mr Wilson explained: "We have arguments put forward to us that the funeral has to occur at a particular time because people have travelled from a long way away."

However, he claimed the issue over timescales would not reduce the number of cars using the cemetery which had not been designed to cope with a large volume of traffic.

"We try to control the amount of disturbance to other visitors and the Asian community tries to assist by providing its own marshalls.

"This situation was unfortunate in that access to the graveside was impeded. The council regrets that situations like this which add to people's sorrows, and we try hard to provide a dignified service."

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