ARE elaborate grave headstones moving testaments to grief and loss or vulgar spectacles of one-upmanship?
That’s the question being asked after complaints locally of some families overstepping the mark when it comes to remembering their deceased relatives.
In recent weeks, readers have contacted the Herald complaining about how their families’ graves at Cross Cemetery are being encroached upon by monuments from neighbouring ones.
“In some cases, the scale goes too far and it becomes an intrusion to nearby graves. There’s no thought for others or their families,” one Fermanagh Herald reader, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
Another family said that they had contacted the Council about a grave in Cross Cemetery that had a large monument on it but had received no answer from them.
“It’s like it’s one rule for one and another rule for another. Everyone should be treated the same when it comes to what you can and can’t do with graves there,” a family member said.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is responsible for two municipal cemeteries in the county – Cross Cemetery, Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, and Breandrum Cemetery, Tempo Road, Enniskillen.
“It’s supposed to be headstone only at Cross Cemetery, but there has bit a bit of controversy about a particular grave there that has put a monument up. It’s up to the Council to sort that out,” Enniskillen funeral director, John McKeegan, explained.
“They own the cemetery and it’s up to them to enforce the rules. If the Council ignores complaints they are not doing their jobs. It should be the same for everybody.”
The Council must ensure that the size and type of memorials within their cemeteries are appropriate and that graves are appropriately maintained by the required regulations.
“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to dealing with all complaints fairly and impartially and to providing a high quality service to those who make them,” a Council spokesperson said.
“In line with the Council’s Privacy Policy, we are unable to comment on individual complaints.”
Parish graveyards are under the control of the relevant Parish Priest and church committee.
“With parish cemeteries you can do what you like if you get the go-ahead from the Parish Priest. However, in Coa and Trillick parishes, it’s headstone only. You can only go a certain size of headstone and you’re not allowed a surrounds,” Mr McKeegan said.
Further information about the Council’s formal complaints procedure is available on their website: https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/your-council/about-the-council/complaints/.
Related posts:
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere