Eastbourne Borough Council responds after grieving mum shocked to find decorations near daughter's grave removed

Monica Corrina-Kavakli told The Herald that decorations had been removed from near her daughter’s grave and her sister’s paid-for memorial.

She said staff told her it was to allow maintenance to take place and she could claim the items from the office.

But Monica claimed she was told they would be removed again if put back as the area was not included in the family’s memorial plaque and vase.

Eastbourne Borough Council has now explained why the decorations were removed.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We recognise that decisions about memorials on a loved one's grave are deeply personal and sensitive, and we approach them with the utmost care and understanding.

“Memorial plaques and vases provide designated areas for flowers, but additional items placed around or above them may sometimes need to be moved so that gardeners are able to safely carry out their work and the shared memorial areas can be properly cared for.

“Any items that are moved are kept at the cemetery office for collection.

“Grounds maintenance contractors are now working at Langney Cemetery, and we will continue to ensure the cemetery is well maintained, so that families and other visitors have a respectful and cared-for place in which to remember their loved ones.”

But this isn’t the first time the council has come under fire for conditions at the cemetery.

Emma Lloyd-Buckingham told The Herald in July that her daughter Chanté’s plot at Langney Crematorium was severely overgrown, after which Eastbourne Borough Council apologised.

Ms Lloyd-Buckingham commented on social media saying the situation at the cemetery was ‘getting beyond a joke now’.

She wrote: “We have spent hours weeding an area we have paid to have maintained for us and will have to continue to pay every five years.

“All we families want is somewhere nice to go and think about the loved one we so desperately miss. Is that really too much to ask?”

And more of our readers have commented on social media to share similar experiences.

One reader wrote: “This happened to me too and unfortunately the items that were removed couldn’t be found by the staff or ground workers. Sentimental items just gone without even being notified – heartbreaking.”

Another commented: “My son’s place of rest is here. I have no family to maintain his place. I rely on fantastic friends that do this for my two other children and myself which I am so very grateful for.

“When I am unable to get over to visit (no longer live in UK), I rely on photos and updates. I get told how, in the past, it has been left to get overgrown which is extremely sad to hear. Again, [it] all comes back to cut backs.”

But they added that staff ‘do their best’ and ‘understand how sensitive the matter is’.