A COUPLE, whose three stillborn children are buried at a council cemetery, are facing more anguish.
And they have blasted officials over plans to remove grave mementoes.
Kevin and Justine Kelly, who had three stillborn children, have branded Calderdale Council as ‘insensitive’, ‘lazy’ and ‘cheap’.
Earlier this month, Calderdale Council announced it would be clearing items left on graves in all of its cemeteries following repeated thefts and vandalism.
As of September cemetery staff will remove pots, plants, toys and other items and store them for six months so relatives can collect them.
The authority claims the move is necessary because there have been thefts and damage to some items, and to make it easier to maintain the cemeteries.
Mr and Mrs Kelly had three stillborn children – Kennedy, Stuart and Darcey – between 1994 and 1997.
After their first stillbirth, the Rastrick couple were told by the council to buy stone kerbs to mark the border of their child’s plot at Rastrick Cemetery – otherwise the council would remove plants and flowers left on the grave.
But now Mr and Mrs Kelly, who have carefully maintained their children’s plot, have been told they will have to clear it once more.
Mr Kelly, 41, said: “The council’s response, rather than to do anything about the thefts, is to punish people who are trying to keep the place looking nice.
“It’s a lazy and cheap way of doing it.
“We put little ornaments on it, like figurines and rabbits because it’s a children’s grave.
“Some people do go over the top but ours isn’t like that.
“The council has been very insensitive; they’re not giving consideration to people. They’re just thinking about the cheapest and easiest thing for them.”
A spokesperson for Calderdale Council said: “Calderdale Council understands the distress that this policy has caused the Kelly family, and therefore a council representative will be calling to meet them shortly to discuss this.”
