Isle of Wight Crematorium memorial removals slammed as insensitive

Simon Parsons, from Ryde, said he has been told he must now buy a new plaque for his dad, Roy, from the council and has claimed it is merely a “money-making scheme”.

The authority said signage, notifying families of removals, has been in place for two months, but claims it has "not insisted" historic plaques at the Isle of Wight Crematorium are replaced with ones purchased by the council.

The County Press is aware of more than one family who has been affected.

When Simon, 61, visited the flower bed earlier this month, the day after Roy's birthday, he was "stunned" to find it empty and initially thought he had got the wrong plot.

From left: How the memorial looked before and how it looks now (Image: Simon Parsons/IWCP) How Simon was given the sentimental items (Image: IWCP) As well as a plaque for Roy, who died in 2011, sentimental items including his photograph, a little tool box that Simon's brother made, and small planters, were all missing.

Simon, who used to work in the funeral industry, said he went inside the crematorium to find out what had happened and was given a white paper bag containing the items.

Presuming their removal was temporary for gardening works, he asked when they could go back on and said he was told by crematorium staff "they can't" and that new plaques have to be bought from the council.

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Simon said the new plaques "lack personality" and although signs have been placed on the grounds, families should have been better warned in advance of items being removed.

"I know they can't contact all the families but with the technology we have now, I've never seen it on social media, they could have given us a month or two weeks”, he said.

One of the plaques which was removed (Image: IWCP) The sign placed in the flower bed (Image: IWCP) "I very much doubt I'm the first one to come up here.

"To me, he's not there now. It's just another space."

Roy's ashes were scattered by a tree in the crematorium garden and the family chose a nearby a flower bed to place items in remembrance to him.

They have been visiting to pay respects since 2011, "with no problems at all".

The Isle of Wight Council said shrubbery borders are being renovated and as such, 'unauthorised' memorials — ones installed by a family that haven't been purchased nor approved — have been removed from one border, a spokesperson said.

The council said families have had to purchase plaques from the council for the last "five years or more", although Simon said he has "never" known this to be the case for flower beds.

The plaques, which Simon said are purchased from the council (Image: IWCP) Simon Parsons (Image: IWCP)