Buncrana priest promises to enforce strict new graveyard rules

It’s reported that a Donegal priest has warned parishioners he may remove headstones, statues and trinkets from graves if they do not conform to strict new graveyard rules.
According to the Irish Times, Fr John Walsh, parish priest in Buncrana, has also advised parishioners not to close any deal with monumental sculptors without first obtaining approval from the parish for their chosen memorial.
Speaking to the Irish Times, Fr Walsh said that we can’t be having headstones in the shape of Transit vans and all sorts adding that people should check before they spend thousands on the wrong one.
He was speaking after locals were informed that 25-year old rules governing local cemeteries had been revised to account for ever-decreasing capacity and new minimalist American-style lawn graves.
They were also told to respect the sanctity of the cemetery by not eating or drinking or talking loudly within the grounds.
The maximum height of headstones at the parish’s two cemeteries has now been set at 4ft with an exception for Celtic crosses that can rise to 8ft.
Double-width graves have been banned in favour of single graves with a maximum depth for two interments – except where more are requested.