Whitchurch cemetery defends its tributes tidy-up
Whitchurch's cemetery board has defended its actions after grieving families launched a campaign when they found the graves of their loved ones had been cleared of some tributes.
The cemetery board removed some old and broken tributes as part of a tidy-up after complaints about the area looking unsightly.
Sophie Evans, 23, of Park Road, Whitchurch, whose brother Jamie is buried at the cemetery, said people are disgusted that items have been removed.
But the board today said it instigated the "clear-up" campaign following numerous complaints the previous year.
A spokeswoman for the board said: "One member of the community told us parts of the cemetery are looking untidy with some graves having further 'add ons'. They said it took away the reverence and solemnity of the cemetery.
"Before the clean-up campaign, we reported the sections of the cemetery which were to be targeted in the round of tidying up.
"We also stated only items such as dead flowers, wreaths, dead potted plants, broken glass and faded artificial flowers would be removed by board members. No personal items were to be removed.
"Letters were sent to families after the clean-up reminding those who had not addressed any issues with their grave space of the rules and asking for the items to be removed."
She said a public meeting was held on June 25 for anyone concerned and only one person attended.
She said that Whitchurch Cemetery is a lawn cemetery, designed on the "war grave" principle and provides memorials of a limited size at the head of the grave with the rest of the plot laid to lawn.
She added: "The graves are sold on the understanding that only these lawn-style memorials are erected.
"When you buy a grave you do not own the land. However, you have purchased the exclusive right of burial in the piece of land called the 'grave space'; you have the right to have burials within that space only.
"You also have the right to erect a memorial on the grave in accordance with the rules and regulations of the cemetery, for example a lawn-style tribute.
"The ownership of the land remains at all times with the Burial Authority, with the exclusive right of the burial not exceeding 100 years.
"This law applies to all cemeteries in England and the Cemetery Board is governed by this.
"The board appreciates the concerns of some members of the community. The board is confident in the steps it has taken to ensure that the Whitchurch Cemetery is, at all times, a calm and respectful environment."
A Facebook group, called "Say no to save loved ones' items" has been set up by the upset families and now has more than 1,100 members, and an online petition has attracted 228 signatures.
To see the rules and regulations, go to www.whitchurchcemetery.co.uk
