A grieving Isle of Wight mother has told the County Press she is "heartbroken" and feels "disrespected" after sentimental items placed on her baby daughter's grave were removed without warning by the church and dumped in bin bags.
The Islander, who wished to remain anonymous, said she has been left anxious and feels her daughter is no longer at peace at St Mary the Virgin church, Brading.
Other graves have also been cleared of the items and left at the site for families to find.
The Diocese of Portsmouth, which runs the church, has admitted it was wrong to have done so without speaking to the family first, and has apologised.
When the County Press visited earlier this week, blue bin bags, with names written in black marker pen, were dumped at the side of the church. Each were filled with items cleared from different graves.
What have been deemed as 'prohibited' decorations have also been put in bins.
Artificial flowers, ornaments, plaques, toys, windmills and solar lights are among the items removed, as seen by the County Press.
The mother said items started disappearing at the beginning of the month.
The first she heard of the diocese's policy, she said, was from a sign put up in the churchyard. It states items will be moved twice yearly.
She said: "They didn't say where they were going to leave the items. I feel like that should be for me to come down and do it. It's really disrespectful what they're doing.
"Why have they done it after so long?
"You can clearly see this is a baby as well. I'm not sure if someone complained but you must be pretty bored if that's the case."
She said she asked what the reason for removing the items was, and was told it was for 'the image of the church'.
A number of the mother's relatives are also laid to rest there.
Her family has been visiting for many years to pay their respects, and during that time, they can't recall there being any restrictions on placing items on graves.
The child's grandmother said the family is still in mourning and it is "heartbreaking, annoying and disrespectful."
She said: "It's a kick in the teeth that they've done this without any prior warning.
"It's the fact that they've not informed us. They'd just done it and there's a little sign.
"It would have been nice to have that formal letter instead of just coming down and seeing the sign. My grandchild's grave has been demolished."
The diocese stopped short of saying the family could put the items back on relatives' graves.
A spokesperson said the Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, Steve Daughtery, has written to apologise: "There are certain rules around what can and can't be placed in churchyards, and our parishes normally work alongside bereaved families to explain those rules and ensure everyone understands what is permitted.
"Unfortunately that doesn't seem to have happened on this occasion.
"The parish created the sign in the churchyard last year with the best of intentions, but of course it would have been more sensitive to speak to the family directly at that point.
"Our Archdeacon has discussed this matter with the family and has outlined the options for the way forward.
"We understand that the items left around the grave have not been disposed of, but have been returned to the family."
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel