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Couple loses fight to switch baby’s grave
Date published: 30 January 2013
A Church of England judge has turned down the plea of a distraught Chadderton couple who want to move their daughter’s remains to a more dignified resting place.
George and Patricia Roberts sought special permission to have their daughter Beverley exhumed from Middleton New Cemetery because of its declining state. The couple say the cemetery in which their baby daughter was buried half a century ago has deteriorated and that graves now bear model pubs, football shirts and scarves.
Geoffrey Tattersall QC, Chancellor of the Manchester Diocese, ruled the remains must stay put.
Chancellor Tattersall expressed regret in his ruling for the distress it ould cause, but said the circumstances didn’t justify making an exception to the principle that a Christian burial is final.
Beverley died aged two months and was buried in 1960.
Her parents say there has been a gradual decline in the graveyard over the years and they are unhappy with its condition. They claimed models of pubs, football shirts and scarves have been left on graves there, which they believe is inappropriate.
The couple have also moved to Chadderton and wanted to move her to nearby St Matthew and St Lukes.
The judge said: “While I readily understand that what seems to motivate this application, I don’t believe the condition of the cemetery could justify this application.”
Comments
Disgraceful. Where is the Christian compassion?
"the circumstances didn’t justify making an exception to the principle that a Christian burial is final"
How many former Church of England graveyards have had all burials removed in order to make way for the sale of church land for commercial developments etc
see: John 2:13-16
I'm quite sure that Jesus would have a different take on this.
You obviously have a very limited understanding of the Church of England Mr Faulkner. The Church is governed by the laws of the land, and this case was heard by a court, bound by precedent and limited in its scope.
Mr & Mrs Roberts would perhaps have been better advised to approach the authority which runs the cemetary to have it cleaned up & maintained, then you would be seeing stories of distraught relatives being forced to remove the tat they litter the cemetary with.
Can't see what Jesus has to do with this,or his opinion.
Yes, Mr 'Flake', I do have a very limited understanding of the Church of England (and its laws). But in this case does the C of E have a limited understanding of the message of the Bible at the expense of its own 'laws'?
Sometimes the 'business' of the church gets in the way of church.
Far easier to enforce man-made rules and regulations thrashed out by committee after committee, than to demonstrate compassion derived from a higher authority.
Have Your Say
How people wish to remember there loved ones whether it be laying flowers down or there favourite football shirt is up to them. I take it the graves are neat and tidy its just the scrafs and shirts that upsets them.
By Fitton Hill @ 30/01/2013 13:06:25