MORE councils have begun 'pre-digging' graves.
The chilling reality of the coronavirus crisis was thrown into stark focus when a grave-digging operation got under way in recent days at a cemetery in Co Antrim.
Rows of graves have been prepared by mechanical diggers in Sixmile Cemetery in Antrim town as the Covid-19 death toll continues to rise.
Antrim and Newtownabbey council said it was carrying out "preparatory" work in case cemetery staff numbers are reduced due to illness.
It has since emerged that two graves have also been 'pre-dug' at a cemetery in Limavady, Co Derry.
Video: Multiple graves being prepared at Sixmile Cemetery in Co Antrim @irish_news #Coronavirusireland pic.twitter.com/H4dBQrOG2C
— Mal McCann (@MalMccann) April 1, 2020
A Causeway Coast and Glens council spokeswoman said: "At this stage we are content that we have sufficient staff to dig graves at the point of need.
"We will review this position regularly and take any further appropriate action at the appropriate time."
Preparations are also being made at Roselawn Cemetery on the outskirts of Belfast, a councillor has said.
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Jim Rodgers, who sits on the city council's cemeteries and crematorium development working group, said "work is under way to dig a number of graves".
"I have been told the site has been marked out where they are to be dug," he said.
"It is an awful subject to talk about, but when you have this virus and the way it is hitting people, we have obviously got to do something so that families are not going to have to put off the burial for longer than they would like."
Mr Rodgers said it was previously believed that, after a planned new crematorium development is completed, there would be enough burial space left at Roselawn for more than eight years.
However, he said the pandemic could significantly reduce this.
Belfast City Council said contingency plans are being made for any increase in burials and cremations.
A spokesman said it is coordinating work with the Department of Justice and is in regular contact with funeral directors and faith groups.
"As a council we have to fulfil our statutory duties, one of which is the provision of burials. We are undertaking preparatory works to ensure we continue to meet this requirement," he said.
"This is an extremely sensitive time for families who have lost a loved one and we are working with funeral directors to ensure we provide all the support we can for families in the current circumstances."
Mid Ulster council said it has no plans to pre-prepare graves, but scheduled work to create pathways and access to an existing part of Forthill Cemetery in Cookstown has been brought forward.
Derry and Strabane council said some "advance preparatory work" has been carried out to support cemetery staff and "provide the necessary cemetery provision required".
Other councils said they had no current plans to dig any extra grave plots. Newry, Mourne and Down council did not respond.
Of the Church authorities that responded to queries, the Catholic dioceses of Down and Connor, Derry and Dromore said they were unaware of any plans to pre-prepare graves.
As part of efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19, cemeteries have been closed to the public in areas across the north.
Funerals have also been restricted to immediate family and parishes have advised against holding wakes.