Gravestones could be removed or flattened without families’ consent if they do not reply to an appeal, it has been warned.

Ongar Town Council is urging the relatives of 13 people buried in the town cemetery to come forward in the next six months, otherwise their memorials will be designated as ‘abandoned’ – and could be laid flat or removed if unsafe.

The town council has managed the cemetery since it opened in 1865 and gives exclusive rights of burial for 50 years, including the right to place a memorial on the grave.

This means any purchased in 1965 or earlier must now be renewed.

Town clerk Aimi Middlehurst said: “I would encourage families to contact the council.

“Having an owner that the council can contact is essential to administer the cemetery accurately and gives the relatives peace of mind by ensuring that these graves are properly looked after.

“If relatives have not come forward within six months of this notice the grave will be deemed to be abandoned and the council will have the right to make safe (lay flat) or remove unstable memorials.”

Relatives of the following people are being sought:

  • Henrietta Louise Morgan
  • Leonard James Morgan
  • Isabel Choat
  • Amber Choat
  • Joseph Burgess
  • Charlotte Lilian Burgess
  • Clifford Leon Lloyd
  • Pauline Timms
  • George Timms
  • James Dearman
  • Minnie Grace Dearman
  • Ephraim Ransome
  • Amelia Jane Bird Ransome

If you are, or know, a relative of one of these people and would like more information or to renew exclusive burial rights, contact deputy clerk Judith Farr by phoning 01277 365 348 or emailing deputyclerk@ongartowncouncil.gov.uk.