Family 'heartbroken' as council demands they remove kerb on young father’s grave
THE family of a young father have been told to remove part of his grave as it could “hamper grass cutting”.
Mark Rayner's family are heartbroken as council demands they remove kerb
Mark 'Marky' Rayner's family have been warned that unless they scrap a kerb they installed on the family plot, the council will.
Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the authority to change its mind, but Stockton Council says that rules are rules.
However his "heartbroken" sister Stacey Dull says: "This has broken my mum - she thinks the grave is going to have to be dug up again.
Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the authority to change its mind
"We only put it there about a month and a half ago and it looks beautiful, so it's completely wrong - it's the only place we can go and find comfort.
"Marky's death shattered us, and this is just destroying us all a little bit more."
The popular 33-year-old died last year as he awaited the birth of his second child.
Around 700 mourners attended his funeral at Stockton's Durham Road Cemetery
Around 700 mourners attended his funeral at Stockton's Durham Road Cemetery, and since then, the family have spent cash on the kerb and red and white ornaments in memory of the Liverpool fan.
However in a letter, Stockton Council said the family did not receive permission and cemetery rules "do not permit such kerbs to be fixed".
Cemeteries superintendent Andrew Ruddock warned that unless the family get rid of it within 30 days, the council will.
Marky's death shattered us, and this is just destroying us all a little bit more
He claims that the kerb could cause "significant difficulties" for mourners and coffin-bearers accessing neighbouring graves, as well as issues for grass cutting.
But 32-year-old Miss Dull, of Norton , says: "The council say the main reason is so the workers can get in, but we cut the grass ourselves as we own three of the plots.
"They are our plots, we have paid for them, so why should it matter? We do all the work at the grave and we are there seven days a week keeping it looking beautiful.
In a letter, Stockton Council said the family did not receive permission and century rules
"The only people the plot has seemed to bother is the council, but there is no chance of us backing down."
Supporters signing the online petition have slammed the council, with many claiming it should instead be targeting grave vandals.
Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing, said: "We understand that some people may wish to personalise the grave of a loved one and we provide full details of what is and is not permitted at the time a grave is purchased.
The family put red and white ornaments in memory of the Liverpool fan
"Though we do allow some personal items at the head of a grave we cannot allow fences, fixed kerb stones or other grave surrounds on lawn graves because they make grass cutting and maintenance difficult, and can also obstruct access to neighbouring graves.
"We do draw people's attention to these details and would encourage anyone with any queries to get in touch with our bereavement services staff, who will be more than happy to meet with families and provide advice and guidance.”