Middlewich Cemetery Community Announcement

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The Town Council commissioned an audit investigation concerning the Middlewich Cemetery, which was conducted by Marian Millington, an ICCM Consultant.

The report’s findings indicate that there has been mismanagement at the cemetery, which encompasses both governance and financial discrepancies. The audit examined the timeframe from 01st January 2016, to April 2025, when the cemetery was returned to the control of the Town Council.

In order to help the council rebuild public trust and confidence, and to fill in the gaps in missing information, we urge the general public to come forward and provide us with the details of your loved ones. This will aid us in ensuring that the entries in the burial registers are recorded in a proper manner and that the fees paid correspond with the records held by the council. If you have purchased a pre-purchased plot for an internment, we kindly ask that you submit the details of the grave deed and any documentation to help verify your ownership of the grave.

Given the extensive nature of the work required, we encourage individuals who have interred loved ones between January 2023 and 13 May 2025, to reach out to us by emailing cemetery@middlewichtowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01606 833434 (option 3).

  • Phase two, which will cover the period from January 2019 to December 2022, is set to begin on week commencing 17th November 2025. If your loved ones have been interred during this period, we kindly ask that you reach out to us after 17th
  • If your loves ones have been interred between 01st January 2016 to December 2018, we request that you reach out to us after 01st

The Town Council acknowledges that whilst a phased approach is not ideal, it is essential due to the significant amount of work involved. 

Mayor Simon Whittaker said:

  • ‘We found the ICCM consultant extremely professional and thorough in her investigative work over the period of her short stay in Middlewich. The full report will not be published until after the court hearing. Following consultation with Marian the ICCM Consultant and Cheshire East Council, it was deemed necessary to request the community to come forward to help complete burial records. I realise this will have a great emotional affect on many people throughout the town and I am deeply sorry to announce this news’

 Town Clerk Safia Kauser said:

  • ‘Marian has provided a comprehensive report that will aid us in our court preparations and audits. The report’s findings are both alarming and concerning regarding how the burial administration was previously managed. I understand that this will greatly affect the community, and I want to reassure residents that the Council is actively working to ensure that there is full transparency and accountability in the management of the cemetery’s past dealings’

Dated: 20th October 2025