Council ‘loses’ bodies of twins after burying people in the wrong graves

A cemetery has admitted burying people in the wrong graves in what has been described as ‘something out of a horror movie.’

At least two bodies were laid to rest in the wrong graves at cemetery in Coney Hill, Gloucester, forcing the local council to apologise.

Now one resident has claimed the cemetery has lost the burial site of his two baby twins.

Gloucester City councillor Alastair Chambers said the case of the allegedly lost twins happened about 10 years ago.

He heard about it from a man, who did not want to be named, at a council meeting last week.

The parent claimed he brought his twins graves after they died just a day on from the birth.

He then allegedly said the council could not tell him where they were buried and he is still in the dark about that today.

The independent councillor also claimed another woman came forward with a tale of a cemetery mix-up.

The lady, who also did not want to be identified, allegedly reserved a grave spot next to her parents eight and a half years ago, but she recently found out it had been filled by another women’s body.

She allegedly said this was because the other woman had the same unique first name as her.

Gloucester City Council declined to comment on those two cases but apologised to the family and friends of two people who it said were buried in the wrong locations at the city council-run cemetery.

The council’s deputy leader, however, said he was not aware of the mistaken burials.

Councillor Declan Wilson added: ‘It sounds like something out of a horror movie. 

‘Certainly something like this needs to be addressed pretty much immediately.’

The council reiterated that families of the deceased were never present at the wrong burial and they had now followed all procedures to move the graves to the correct spots.

It is not known when the mix-up happened but it is thought that the two burials happened in wrong locations for unrelated reasons. 

Cllr Chambers said: ‘I am both shocked and deeply saddened to learn that the city council has been burying bodies in the wrong graves.

‘It’s hard to believe that such a devastating mistake could even happen.

‘It’s pretty horrific. Tragic. It’s unimaginable for the grieving relatives.’

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: ‘During members’ questions at the council meeting on March 27, 2025, it was requested that an investigation be carried out into incorrect burials at the cemetery.

‘The council is aware of two graves in recent years that have been placed in the wrong location within the cemetery grounds.

‘We have followed all processes and procedures to move those graves to the correct locations in the cemetery and have been working sensitively with the families involved to resolve these.

‘We apologise to the family and friends of the bereaved and we would like to reassure the public that we have worked with and supported the families throughout this process.

‘Our thoughts and feelings remain with the family and friends of the deceased.’

The cemetery was embroiled in scandal before, when in November 2023 residers were up in arms over mini diggers and other heavy machinery driving over people’s graves.

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