Planning Cemeteries: Their Potential Contribution to Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services

Katie Mcclymont,Danielle Sinnett

doi:10.3389/frsc.2021.789925

Katie Mcclymont, Danielle Sinnett

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.789925

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Abstract

Cemeteries are often included in typologies of green infrastructure features, but there has been little exploration of their role within a multifunctional network of green infrastructure. This paper uses national greenspace data to map the contribution that cemetery space makes to accessible greenspace England. In doing so we provide a more comprehensive and detailed analysis of the scale of cemetery space in contemporary settlements, finding that cemeteries provide around 4% of accessible greenspace and are particularly important in high-density urban environments. Focusing then on an in-depth analysis of an urban case study, we survey 11 cemeteries that provide accessible greenspace for neighbourhoods in Bristol, UK. This suggests that cemeteries are delivering, or have the potential, to deliver ecosystem services and therefore form an important component of green infrastructure networks, but at the same time also need to provide culturally sensitive space for burial and remembrance. Despite the rhetoric, planning policy for cemeteries is not consistent in articulating their role as green infrastructure. We highlight the opportunities for greater cultural, regulation and maintenance services to be delivered, but also the need for greater dialogue between the different players involved in the maintenance and delivery of cemeteries.

Highlights

There is a gathering international body of evidence that demonstrates the myriad roles of cemeteries beyond that of bodily disposal and remembrance
Using the framing provided by Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) V5.1 (Haines-Young and Potschin, 2018) we explore the potential ecosystem services that may be provided by cemeteries in England
A similar pattern is seen in cemeteries, which make up a greater proportion of greenspaces in urban vs. rural areas; 3.8% in urban cities and towns to 4.9% in major conurbations (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

There is a gathering international body of evidence that demonstrates the myriad roles of cemeteries beyond that of bodily disposal and remembrance These include their value as recreational spaces similar to parks, and for nature conservation. Assessing a range of sites across Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden and Italy, Długozima and Kosiacka-Beck (2020) summarise the environmental value of cemeteries. These include subcategories under the headings of vegetation, architecture, burial space and spatial context

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