Hertfordshire church grave dispute delayed burial

The dispute arose in the lead up to Wednesday’s service, but Mr Worby said the family believed it had been resolved in advance.

Mr Worby, 62, said he arrived at the Church of St Edmund and the English Martyrs on the day of the funeral, could not find the priest and was informed he was at the burial plot but there was a “problem” and the dispute was continuing.

“I got on my hands and knees and measured the grave which was 46in (117cm),” said Mr Worby.

“In sandy soil the minimum recommended is 24in (61cm) and when my father’s coffin went in it measured 30in (76cm).”

According to the Natural Death Society, there is no legal minimum depth for a burial but the Ministry of Justice recommends a minimum of 24in (61cm) of soil between the coffin lid and ground level.