Artificial flowers and ornaments left on graves in Brading churchyard will still be cleared away, but it will not be done without warning and they will be placed in boxes rather than bin bags, the Diocese of Portsmouth (DoP) has said.

St Mary the Virgin Church sparked controversy in March after grieving relatives reported sentimental items on graves being unexpectedly 'bagged and binned'.

Following exclusive stories published by the County Press, the DoP apologised to families and advised the church to stop the "insensitive" practice.

At the time, the Diocese said that a sign on the gates should be removed and replaced.

Read more:

It said the new sign should reflect "that there is no rule that suggests items should be cleared away twice a year and placed in bin bags for collection" and "there is also no rule about a ’13-month grace period’."

Two months on, and a new sign has now appeared at the church.

It states that items will be removed on February 28/29 and August 31 of each year. Items are allowed on a new grave, for a period of up to 13 months and or until a new headstone is in place, it said.

Isle of Wight County Press: The new sign on the gate at Brading church.The new sign on the gate at Brading church. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

A spokesperson for the DoP said: “Those in charge of Brading churchyard have now altered their approach, and will make doubly-sure that all bereaved families and funeral directors are told the rules before any burials take place, to avoid any subsequent confusion.

"They will make it clear in those conversations that artificial flowers and ornaments are not allowed, in line with the regulations.

"Rather than removing any such items immediately, the parish intends to honour its original promises of a 13-month grace period for new burials, and a tidying of the churchyard every six months."

The statement added that the "tidying" of graves will not take place without warning, unlike last time.

Isle of Wight County Press: The former sign in the churchyard at Brading.The former sign in the churchyard at Brading. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

 
What the graveyard looked like before the changes.

It also said that items will be held for safekeeping in a labelled box, rather than a bin bag, for six weeks, so that relatives can retrieve them.

"In addition, contact details for the parish and diocese will be publicly available", the statement added.

"The Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight agreed that this was a compassionate and practical approach to this issue."

When the County Press visited earlier this week, most of the bin bags previously left at the side of the church had gone.