Leaks into new burial chambers at Ayr Cemetery have been confirmed by the council following an investigation.
Burial lairs at the newest section of the cemetery on its eastern edge have been discovered to have been letting water in despite assurances that they were watertight and airtight.
It comes after a section of the cemetery was sealed off earlier this month to allow the investigation to take place after relatives of the deceased raised concerns about flooding at the site last year.
The water has now been extracted from the lairs and any holes sealed up, say council officials.
They pin the blame on external contractors who installed the lairs in 2017.
Families of those interred in the affected part of the cemetery have been informed.
The problem is said to have affected 30 lairs.
One family member of a deceased relative interred at the cemetery, who wished to remain anonymous, received a letter from the council informing her that her mother's lair had been flooded.
She was infuriated by the news: "It's just awful and I'm beyond angry.
"Mum was buried there three years ago.
"It’s incredible to think they’d install a new system and not check it - especially something involving human remains.
"I’ve been dreading this result."
A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "The investigation at Ayr Cemetery extension has found water ingress in the inspected chambers.
"These chambers were installed by external contractors on the basis that they were watertight and airtight, and all appropriate permissions were obtained to satisfy statutory requirements.
"The water within inspected chambers has now been removed and all access holes have been sealed.
"Families who had a chamber inspected have been individually notified of the outcome."
Investigations continue to determine the cause of the leaks, with the council yet to decide what, if any, further action will need to be taken.
The council spokesperson added: "The cause of the ingress is being investigated by both the specialist who undertook the inspections and a specialist civil engineering consultant.
"Once we have received the analysis and the reports from the consultants we will know if further investigatory works are required, and we will liaise directly with families with regards to the proposed remedial action."
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