Rector sorry over grave opening

A rector has apologised to a family after a grave was reopened to identify the name of the person buried there.

The grave, near Rugeley, Staffordshire, was opened by a gravedigger along with the rector, Rev David Thomas.

A statement from the Lichfield diocese said the rector then took photographs of the coffin's nameplate and put them through the widow's letterbox.

The church said the grave had been opened without proper permission but it had been done with the best intentions.

'Different place'

In a statement, the diocese said the family of George Hill, the deceased, had thought the coffin was buried in a different part of the churchyard.

Mr Hill's family and the rector had both decided the only way to settle the matter was to dig down to the level of the coffin, in St John the Baptist churchyard, Armitage, so the name plate could be read.

The church said the gravedigger had contacted Mr Thomas to say he had begun the work. However, Mr Thomas was unable to contact the family so he went to the grave with a camera.

A statement from the church said: "The rector took photos of the nameplate and the area surrounding the grave to allow its position to be clearly shown."

Mr Thomas informed the family of what had happened and the family later requested copies of the photos.

Mr Thomas posted them through the letter box of the widow's house.

Following a complaint to the diocese solicitors, the chancellor - the senior judge of the church court - said the re-opening of the grave was an exhumation and proper permission should have been applied for.

The Archdeacon of Lichfield, the Venerable Chris Liley, has also spoken to the family and apologised.

Mr Hill was buried in February 2008.