Broxtowe: ‘Common sense’ promise to families over serious rules

The 2023 form states that “no item of any description shall be placed on the actual burial space in the lawn and cremated remains.”

The form states that this also includes fences, curbs, bedding plants, vases, windmills, gravel, glass or alcohol and that these will be removed and disposed of immediately.

She said: “I don’t understand how the council can change the rules because they have always accepted this – if I had known this was not acceptable I would not have buried my son (there).”

Radulovic said: “There has been a trend in recent years where there are some things that I think violate the sacred ground.

“We don’t tell people not to put personal things on it. The idea is to respect not only your grave, but all graves. What we are saying is: use your common sense.”

The families asked for more communication between the municipality, the bereavement department and the families involved to reach an arrangement.

Radulovic said: “Come to me and we will sit around the table.

“We do a lot of respectful things on behalf of people – I’m defending our staff here – they’ve tried to interpret the law and the rules as they’ve been given to us – but we do have the power to change that.

“You have a blanket piece of health and safety legislation that is completely unworkable.”