Concerns from members of the public have led Calderdale Council to ask for the removal of mementoes from gravesides or memorials after reports that items have been stolen or broken.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Steve Sweeney said:
“People grieve and remember their loved ones in different ways and we do understand how important this is to some visitors. This can include leaving a range of items such as glass vases and plastic or wire fencing at the graveside. “
“Unfortunately we have been contacted many times by people whose property has been stolen, damaged or scattered over the cemetery, making it untidy and unsafe. We have taken this difficult decision to protect these special places for everyone, to make sure that our crematoriums and cemeteries are clean, accessible and safe for all our visitors.”
Any unbroken mementoes which have not been collected by September will be carefully cleared and stored for six months and will be available for collection from the crematorium or nearest cemetery office. After September items will be cleared from each site two weeks after they have been left.
Memorial crosses can be left at gravesides or memorials on Remembrance Sunday and will be removed two weeks later.
Calderdale Council staff at each site will be happy to talk to visitors if they have any questions.