Lincolnshire family disgusted after grave ornaments removed

A family has branded a church authority decision to remove ornaments from their loved one’s grave “disgusting and disrespectful”.

The grave of Ian Fyfe, at St Michael and All Angels Church, Cammeringham, near Lincoln, had been adorned with plaques, ornaments and bouquets of flowers.

But the items were removed and found by family in a plastic bag last week after they were judged to “contravene the regulations”.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) said it had implemented Church of England rules and commented: “Inevitably people have different views on what is, or is not, appropriate.”

The PCC said it had sent out a letter to the family of Mr Fyfe before the items were removed.

Tracy Fyfe, who was married to her husband for 28 years and had three children with him, described the grave as tidy and said she did not understand why there was a problem.

“They [PCC] don’t understand what it does to people, they just have these rules and all of a sudden, bang everything is gone.

“I think it’s mean. It’s horrible.”

Mr Fyfe’s son, Timothy Baxter, said the situation had made him feel less able to commemorate his father.

“It’s disgusting, and disrespectful, we’re trying to remember my dad and remember him in the best way,” he said.

“We’re trying to make his grave colourful, so when he’s looking down on us we’re still keeping his spirit going.”

The PCC said the rules relating to graves are “laid down in order to preserve the nature of the churchyard and its surroundings”.

“It is not unusual for notices to be displayed to alert people to the removal of items should they contravene the regulations,” it added.

“This gives an opportunity for them to be removed by families/friends themselves prior to their removal.”