Anger over grave memorabilia rule

Barbara Brotherhood is to remove memorabilia from her father's grave

A woman has hit out after being told that large items of memorabilia will be removed from the Fife graveyard where her father is buried.

Barbara Brotherhood, 58, who lives in Cheshire, said Fife Council's plans were "ridiculous".

The council said items would be removed "sympathetically" by 2 February if they were deemed to be breaking rules.

Ms Brotherhood said she would remove all ornaments from the grave in case any went missing in the crackdown.

Speaking to the BBC Scotland news website, Mrs Brotherhood said she had been left upset when she learned about the move at Leslie graveyard.

She said: "I have asked my stepmother, who lives in Glenrothes, to take the dog statue we have on my father's grave because we don't want the council to take it and then lose it.

"I am angry about it as my father was very fond of a Labrador he had as a pet, so we have a statue of a Labrador on his grave.

People put memorabilia at gravesides as a way of expressing their grief and should be allowed to do so Barbara Brotherhood

"It is very upsetting for this to happen. There are five young children's graves beside my father's and they have teddies and soft toys around them, so it is even more upsetting to think these will be removed as well.

"People put memorabilia at gravesides as a way of expressing their grief and should be allowed to do so."

Liz Murphy, Fife Council's bereavement services manager, said: "We understand that some families will find removing some of these items difficult and our staff will be on hand to offer help and advice.

"I'd reassure everyone that any work we will need to carry out will be done as sympathetically as possible and that all memorials that comply with the current rules will be left as they are."

She said anyone wanting to put up larger commemorative items should check with the council beforehand, and that monuments should be authorised by bereavement services management.

Brian Goodall, chairman of Fife Council's housing and communities committee, said: "We all feel and wish to express grief in different ways. That's why our knowledgeable and expert staff are available to help.

"If we all respect these long-established rules on monuments and memorabilia then we will help preserve Fife's cemeteries and allow the staff to keep them as safe, well-maintained retreats for all."