A DAUGHTER has told of her outrage after memorial gifts were moved from her mother's grave and “dumped” in a churchyard corner.
Karen Hoare, from Hedge End, discovered personal gifts left on graves, including those left by her family, were moved at Holy Saviour Church in Bitterne.
Karen said the find was “heartbreaking” for her and many others who have family members buried at the church.
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Officials said it was done in line with the Church of England regulations, and those who laid the gifts must recover them from the entrance of the cemetery this month.
The 65-year-old said: “It’s disgusting. They have taken people’s belongings off and dumped them in the corner.
“It’s a family cemetery. My nan, auntie and mum are buried there.
“We haven’t been up there much because of Covid, but my granddaughter went up there on Saturday, March 26 and phoned me in tears saying all the stuff we laid on the graves was gone.
“We have been going through a lot as a family and haven’t been able to get up there until now, but how many more people haven’t been able to visit?
“If you are not a person who goes there regularly, you won’t know about it.
“I think it’s absolutely terrible and it is heartbreaking.
“Everybody has been through so many bad things recently, it’s going to devastate many people.
“The church needs to apologise to everyone.”
The Holy Saviour Church told the Echo it provided notice of its plan to remove certain items that do not conform to the Church of England regulations in May 2021.
It then gave notice again in September, and put signage around the churchyard.
A team of volunteers then began “carefully removing” items that did not follow the regulations in February this year.
Reverend Tony Palmer said: “Churchyards have an important role in enabling us to support our bereaved families.
“It is very important for us that all families are able to pay their respects to loved ones who are buried here, and we want to make sure that the churchyard is kept safe and accessible for everyone who wants to visit.
“Churchyards are governed by the Church of England regulations, which aim to ensure that memorials are in keeping with their surroundings and that they take account of the Christian nature of the churchyard.
“We are sorry for any distress this has caused.
"The regulations allow us to ensure that memorials can be maintained and that items placed on graves do not impact on neighbouring plots and local wildlife.
“Visitors are welcome to show their respect and love by leaving flowers or planting bulbs.”
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