Grave error due to lack of records at Horbling church

A gravedigger uncovered a loophole in church rules to allow a family to be buried together.

When Kevin Ward buried his father John two years ago, he thought he had reserved the neighbouring plots for himself and his mother.

He was shocked to later discover a stranger had been laid to rest next to his dad.

The Consistory Court in Lincoln found no records of burials had been kept at St Andrew’s Church in Horbling since 2017, which led to the mix up.

Mr Ward applied to have his father’s body exhumed and moved to a different plot, but was told the exhumation would go against church rules.

A gravedigger suggested digging a trench between Mr Ward’s plot and the row behind, allowing the coffin to be pulled through without being lifted above ground.

The idea was approved and Mr Ward’s remains were moved last week.

A court spokesman said: “Exhumation is not normally permitted in a consecrated churchyard, but the error in burying a body between the parents was considered a sufficient exception.”

The Rev and Worshipful Chancellor His Honour Judge Mark Bishop said: “This indicates with great clarity the importance of an up-to-date churchyard plan being easily available in the church. The absence of such a plan created confusion and misunderstanding about whether or not a grave space has been reserved. This caused great upset and distress to Mr Ward’s family.”

The Rural Dean of Lafford, the Rev Philip Johnson, said: “In all walks of life unintentional errors are made and we do well when we learn from them. This has been a good outcome for the family.”