Public meeting to be held following outcry over cemetery letter
17/02/2025
A review of the regulations will be undertaken to ensure they “strike the right balance”
Following the public outcry after Brackley Town Council told a grieving family they must remove decorations from their daughter’s grave, the Council have announced they’ll be holding a public meeting to discuss cemetery regulations.
Last week we told you Gemma and Jason Sadler had received a letter from the Council telling them the decorations must be removed from their daughter’s grave within a month. The council said that they have received complaints from cemetery visitors who feel the decorations are “disturbing the peace of the cemetery”.
But nearly 4,000 people signed a petition calling on the council to reverse their decision.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon Brackley Town Council said they acknowledge the concerns raised.
The statement noted: “Our cemetery regulations are in place to ensure that the space remains a peaceful and respectful environment for all visitors. These regulations are applied consistently and are designed to balance the individual needs of families with the overall maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery. We understand that these regulations can sometimes be difficult, especially in times of grief, and we are committed to handling such matters with sensitivity and compassion.”
The Council now plans to look at the Sadler’s case and will “be reviewing our cemetery regulations to ensure they are clear, accessible, and strike the right balance between respecting individual memorials and maintaining a dignified space for all.”
A public meeting is also being planned to discuss cemetery regulations and to hear local people’s views. A date for the meeting is yet to be confirmed.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
