'It's an absolute disgrace': Woman sparks concern over 'appalling' state of Edinburgh cemetery
Mortonhall Cemetery maintenance has been delayed for more than two weeks leaving it looking ‘disgraceful’.
A woman has hit out at the “disgraceful” condition of an Edinburgh cemetery after claiming graves have been left covered in leaves, benches overturned and bins overflowing.
Joyce Jenkin, originally from Gilmerton, has raised concerns about the state of Mortonhall Cemetery after visiting the resting places of her mum and grandparents.
The 55-year-old said she was left “absolutely astounded” by the condition of the grounds during a recent visit, claiming she had never seen the cemetery in such a state despite visiting for many years.
She submitted a complaint to Edinburgh council, but was left dissatisfied with the response she received.
On October 22, Rik Corrigan, team leader from Bereavement Services, told Joyce that the council was running two weeks behind its ground maintenance programme due to the number of burials taking place across the city.
The email stated that maintenance was due to begin that day, including grass cutting and strimming.
The email said: “ Unfortunately, we are currently two weeks behind in our ground’s maintenance programme due to the number of burials we have had across the city.
“The cemetery ground maintenance at Mortonhall is due to start today, which will include cutting and strimming.
“The bins are currently emptied three times a week within the grounds (Mon, Wed & Fri).
“We now maintain the cemeteries differently than we have in previous years which will affect the overall look of the cemetery than it has previously.”
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However, Joyce revealed that she had returned to the cemetery following the response and found very little had changed.
She said: "It's an absolute disgrace. I’ve never known a cemetery like it.
“It’s all overgrown and there are leaves everywhere. The benches were all overturned and there was rubbish lying about.
“They used to have it kept lovely, but it's just such a mess now.”
Another concern of Joyce’s was the condition of the area where babies are laid to rest, which she claims was covered in fallen leaves.
She said: “Right along the back of the cemetery, that's where a lot of the babies are buried, and that was covered.
“You couldn't even see their little badges with their names because there were heaps of leaves all over the graves.
“I thought that was an absolute disgrace.”
Joyce, whose mum died when she was young, said she has been visiting the cemetery for years and was particularly upset to see the deterioration of a place that holds such personal significance to her family.
She added: “It’s just totally disrespectful because it should be kept looked after.
“I’ve been to loads of cemeteries and I’ve honestly never seen a mess like that.”
Joyce said her husband has helped tidy the area around her mum's headstone during the visit after noticing weeds growing in place, but believes it should be the council’s responsibility to ensure the grounds are properly maintained.
She also raised concerns about overflowing bins, claiming there have been times where visitors have been unable to dispose of rubbish because the bins were already full.
In response to Joyce’s complaint, the council also explained that its approach to cemetery maintenance had changed, warning that this would affect the overall appearance of the grounds going forward.
Joyce said she plans to return to Mortonhall Cemetery this weekend.
Edinburgh council has been approached for comment.