Almondbury couple’s heartache after baby burial blunder
A GRIEVING couple are devastated after discovering their son’s grave is being shared with 11 other babies.
Jordanna Holland, 27, and her partner Jonathan Douglas thought baby Harley would rest alongside three other babies at Lockwood Cemetery.
But three months after his funeral, they were shocked to find a stone slab covering their tragic son’s grave displaying 12 name plaques.
“I was absolutely devastated,” said Jordanna, of Almondbury.
“This whole thing is just going from bad to worse.”
The couple, who already have a three-year-old daughter Kayla, were distraught to learn their unborn child had died when Jordanna was just 21 weeks pregnant because her placenta had broken away.
She was immediately induced and gave birth to Harley Joshua at Calderdale Royal Hospital on October 5.
The heartbroken couple spent 24 special hours with their fully-formed son to help with their grieving process.
Harley was classed as a miscarriage because he was born before 24 weeks. But his parents were determined he would receive a proper funeral.
Jordanna said: “From when he died, we did everything we could. He was our son and we wanted to do the best we could for him.
“The hospital staff were brilliant and they dressed him for me so we could take pictures.
“They offered us a free burial where they provide the coffin and meet you at the graveside.
“But my sister had had a free one and advised us against it because they are shared and you’re not allowed to go back and put flowers or toys on the grave.”
A family friend kindly offered to pay £375 for a private funeral instead.
It was organised by Deborah Ingham at Huddersfield Funeral Service.
The couple were led to believe Harley would be buried in a grave for no more than three other babies.