Mum's upset after being told to remove colourful mementoes from son's Doncaster grave
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Mum Shannon Louise, 25, says a memorial plaque commemorating her son John-Junior featuring a bright blue teddy bear has already been taken away by council chiefs from his last resting place at Arksey Cemetery – and says she has now been told that dozens of other keepsakes of her son, who died at just two hours old, must also go.
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Hide AdHis grieving family regularly decorate the grave to mark his birthday, Christmas, Easter and Halloween, festooning it with decorations, toys, photographs, balloons, flowers, messages and other ornaments.
She says Doncaster Council has told her to return the grave to its original state – without the toys and ornaments.
“They are telling me I’ve got to take it all off,” she said.
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Hide Ad"It has been happening since I reported them for destroying his stuff when cutting the grass.”
A notice in front of John Junior’s grave states: “Please don’t cut or strim the grass by this grave.”
“They want us to take everything off. They say it’s not allowed."
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Hide Ad“This is our plot - we are all heartbroken. We are all happy with our boy’s forever bed.”
According to City of Doncaster Council’s website, a statement regarding what can be placed on graves states: “Only floral tributes are to be left on our leased memorials; please do not leave any items of memorabilia.
"Bereavement services cannot be responsible for any items left. Also note that all tributes will be removed and disposed of on a regular basis.
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Hide AdAnother statement on the authority’s website adds: “You have the right to place a memorial on your grave or plot.
"However, this must comply with cemetery regulations. If a safety hazard is identified and remains uncorrected, we may take action.
“We appreciate that this is a sensitive and emotional time for you. As well as considering your individual feelings, we also must be sensitive to the wishes of all our visitors and keep the cemetery grounds safe and appropriate places for everyone. Our aim is to create a tranquil, respectful place where people can visit and feel comforted by the surroundings and where they can experience a period of personal reflection and private contemplation.
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Hide Ad“With this in mind, we respectfully ask that memorabilia is placed within the confines of the headstone base or within a properly installed kerb surround.”
Other rules enforced by the council include the following, according to the authority website:
Items on metal stakes, sticks or hooks need to be placed in the flower container provided, and must not exceed 12 inches in height
No items made of glass or ceramic are permitted
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Hide AdHome-made kerbs are permitted, but they must be level with the ground (not raised up), and must be no larger than 8ft x 3ft for an adult grave or 5ft x 3ft for a child's grave
No kerbs of any kind are permitted within cremated remains plots.
No memorials are allowed in the shared ashes scattering areas at Rose Hill.
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Hide AdIt added: “All headstones need to have a ground anchor and must be fitted by an approved stonemason as is also the case for stone kerb sets. In both cases a permit must be obtained before installation is carried out and your stonemason will apply on your behalf for this.”
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