News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(10)

advertisement

Parents in outrage over graves ban

Adam Derbyshire
28/ 2/2007

GRIEVING parents have accused Tameside Council of targeting children's graves after a councillor said cemeteries were turning into "amusement" areas.

Town hall chiefs want to ban solar lighting along with miniature iron railings and have recommended graveyards be purged of "inappropriate" items.

They say cemeteries should be dignified places of rest and "excessive adornment" of graves is not acceptable.

Councillor Peter Robinson suggested that cemeteries were becoming "amusements". He pointed to Droylsden Cemetery where solar lights give off an eerie glow at night.

But his words have caused upset.

Lisa Frost, whose two-year-old daughter, Isabella, died of leukaemia in 2002, said: "The majority of graves adorned with personal mementos belong to children. It will affect their families more than any others.

"She is buried in Dukinfield Cemetery and I put solar lights by her headstone because I don't want her to be in the dark. She's on her own there and it's my way of dealing with losing her.

"It seems so convenient to blame health and safety over the plans to remove the miniature railings. They say it's in case someone trips up and sues us. People shouldn't be walking on graves anyway. I am incensed - I can't believe anyone could be so insensitive."

Another mum, who did not wish to be named, said: "Councillor Robinson thinks cemeteries are becoming amusements. Does he think it's amusing that I go up there and tend my son's grave every day?"

Councillor Cath Piddington, environmental services chief, said a final decision will be made shortly.

She said: "We do have rules and regulations. When, unfortunately, someone does die it is made perfectly clear by the registrar what is and what isn't acceptable to put around the graves.

"But the last thing we want to do is upset people. We're not ogres and we do understand emotions are involved and feelings have to be considered. We have received support and criticism.

"Now we will sit down with the officers and the registrar, consider the recommendations and make a decision."


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(10)


Most recent 2 of 10 user comments

   Thank you sb from audenshaw for your apology, i just wanted you to understand the pain that bereaved parents go through and we will until the day we die, i understand what you are saying but we are now in the 21st century and these are things that keep us going, i wish that we had a cemetry where if our children pass before us then all the children will be together but we have not got that. Children are so precious and losing a child is devastating, at the moment it is coming up to my sons first anniversary of his death and so his grave will be cluttered with people putting gifts on for him as i truly believe he knows. Theres a lot of childrens graves where there are no flowers or teddies just an old headstone and seeing that breaks my heart but obviously they may have no family. I think the council should concentrate on other issues like teenagers and violance, to many things to name
sharon mummy to angel jack, dukinfield
18/03/2007 at 17:29
   havnt the council got better things to do than target childrens graves as if we havnt suffered enough at the lose of a child.my daughter died 13 yrs ago of carbon monoixide posioning and i visit her grave regular with my other children not one grave in denton with so called amusements look offensive if anything it helps my children come to terms with the lose of there sister.i wonder how these councillors would feel if it was one of grand childrens graves would they feel the same then ?
zoe piddington, denton
13/03/2007 at 13:09
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Personal Finance
 

Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
Platinum Exclusive Loan 7.8%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Alliance & Leicester 8.7%
Sainsbury's Personal Loan 8.9%
HASH(0x2b600d394680)
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Savings Account 		5.50%
SAINSBURYS FINANCE
Internet Saver 		4.00%
FIRST DIRECT
Everyday e-Saver 		2.75%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Online Tracker 		6.00%
ABBEY
Instant Access Saver (Special Issue 2) 		6.00%
ING DIRECT
Savings Account 		6.00%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
eSaver - Issue 2 		6.30%
ABBEY
eSaver Direct 		6.00%
POST OFFICE
Instant Saver 		3.75%
Fees may apply