Petition against grave rules - The Redditch Standard

Petition against grave rules

Redditch Editorial 18th Sep, 2014 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

GRIEVING residents have launched a campaign to overturn new rules banning the placing of some items on graves in a Studley cemetery.

More than 350 people have joined the ‘Studley residents against new graveyard rules’ group on the social media site while nearly 500 had signed the online petition before the Standard went to print.

The move follows a decision by Studley Parish Council to alter the rules about items allowed on graves, meaning relatives can no longer place solar lights, glass items, ceramic vases, scarves and flags, windmills or any item which requires a spike to secure it in the ground at the village’s cemetery.

Karen Brown, who set up the site and the petition, said: “Many residents of Studey are angered and upset about this and feel that these changes are wrong.




“Therefore we must get as many signatures as possible to show the parish council how strong the feeling is against these new rules.”

Many have commented about the impact of the change, while others have referenced previous issues reported by the Standard such as an administration error which saw some bodies buried in the wrong grave.


One resident said: “I find this a silly rule as we all know the people and families who tend their loved ones and this has been ongoing for years.

“Is the council aware of people’s feelings or is this another blatant stumble in bureaucracy? Studley families should protest.”

A parish council spokeswoman said they were aware of the Facebook page. Revised rules came into effect at the start of the year with a consultation during February and another change in the rules earlier this month (September).

“Following communications from concerned residents and grave owners, the proposed regulations were revised to take into account those concerns.” she said.

“Revised regulations were displayed in the cemetery and on the parish website and sent to all local funeral directors.

“The parish council is happy to meet with residents and grave owners to discuss their individual concerns and will be discussing the concerns at the next available parish council meeting.”

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