A mammoth headstone inspection at Yeovil Cemetery is nearing its completion.
No less than 8,500 headstones - out of about 10,000 - had been inspected by July 10th, with 1,549 (18%) of them being classed as unstable.
Inspections are carried out nationally for health and safety reasons. A circular from The Health & Safety Executive ex-plains: "Historically, health and safety concerns in cemeteries have focused on the risks arising from grave digging.
However, in recent years there has been increasing attention on the stability of memorials and the risks that these present to all cemetery users.
"This has been highlighted by three fatal accidents to children from falling memorials, the most recent being July 2000."
But a number of people have been upset when discovering that a loved one's headstone has been subjected to tests. A report for Yeovil Crematorium and Cemetery Committee reveals that a "handful" of people feel aggrieved by the action taken, although the "vast majority" of people having contacted the town council appreciate the reasons for the inspection.
The report also states that extensive publicity and notices on cemetery gates have helped to ease the emotional impact.
Town clerk Alan Tawse said at a recent meeting of the committee that he had handled over 600 calls from owners of memorials. It was also reported that 1,300 of the unstable headstones had been subject to temporary measures to maintain their upright appearance pending a permanent solution.
During the ensuing debate, committee members expressed their support for the way in which the inspection and testing exercise had been carried out. Another report is expected once the inspection is finished