Warning as cemeteries are full of loved ones who cannot be buried unless the site has been reserved in advance

CEMETERIES are full of loved ones who cannot be buried unless a place has been reserved in advance, city bosses warn.

And experts say the cemetery crisis is reflected in many communities across the country.

Friends of a recently deceased 46-year-old man, identified only as Neil, said yesterday they had learned there were no more cemeteries in Bicester, Oxfordshire, unless people had pre-booked plots.

Liberal Democrat councilor John Willett said the town’s cemetery cannot be expanded.

He warned: “Due to the high water table, further expansion of the current site is impossible.”

Friends of Neil, who lived in Bicester all his life, were told he could only be buried in the village of Tackley – 11 miles away.

Neil’s two sons don’t drive and his family and friends are fighting for him to be buried locally.

A friend said: “We assumed that when he passed away he would be buried in Bicester.

“Losing someone is hard to deal with and it’s sad not to have a place where people can sit and talk to them.

“We would love to be able to do that.”

Communities across Britain are running out of space in cemeteries with lots of “over-buried” plots.

The practice involves digging graves, but not as deep as the original occupant, and burying the recently deceased on top.