Cemetery row (From Barry And District News)

Cemetery row

TWO BARRY sisters are not only grieving the death of their mother, but now they say they can't even put a headstone on her ashes.

Elaine and Linda McNeil had to cope with their mother's loss just before Christmas.

To help them come to terms with their grief, they decided to have a special monument to mark Williamina's ashes.

Elaine, 37, of Columbus Close said: "At the time, I can't remember any notes about rules and regulations. But I was very upset, and I don't deny I might have been given them without realising. But I did tell them at the Memorial Hall I wanted to build a wooden head piece for my mum, and they didn't say a word."

The wooden headstone took three months to make and cost £300. It had to be treated with special varnish to stop weather damage, and was covered in polycarbonate glass to protect it further.

Elaine added: "We checked health and safety regulations to do this properly. The wood is covered in toughened glass. It would be no more of a liability than a marble or stone ornament. But when I went to get the permit from the Barry Town Council, I was told I couldn't have one."

According to Elaine, she was told because she had not gone to a recommended stone masons and the piece was made of wood, she was not allowed to place it in Barry cemetery.

She said: "This is so silly. They offered us a temporary cross made of wood while we had ours done. The decision apparently went to an appeal meeting, where it was upheld."

Now the headstone sits in ABC of Glazing's shop, while the sisters try to think of what to do with it.

A spokesman for Barry Town Council said: "Part three of the regulations clearly state the materials allowed for headstones and the wooden markers are only a temporary measure."