Trust defends price hike for stone-settings

Trust treasurer Stephen Niman said the levy was one of a number of essential measures to address the problem.
“We are trying to ensure there is a commnunity-wide responsibility in place that will support cemeteries for years to come. We are also considering asking people to make regular contributions for loved ones buried in cemeteries.”

Established in September on a trial basis, the trust is overseeing the upkeep of Manchester’s Jewish cemeteries. It follows a successful initiative by the Rainsough Charitable Trust, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds from individuals to renovate its burial ground. However, some shuls have refused to sign up to the trust until its plans are more fully outlined.

At Crowley Memorials — which will be asked to collect the levy from customers as part of stonemason costs — Kevin Crowley said Jewish cemeteries were in difficulty because “council burial grounds can apply to government to get maintenance funding, but Jewish cemeteries are private, so it is left up to the community”.