Grieving mum’s agony after council workers removed memorial from baby’s grave and dumped it in the bin
Bhakti Gosrani was devastated when she found tributes to son Rohan were stripped away by Solihull council
A GRIEVING mother was left devastated after a cherished memorial to her baby son was dumped in a bin by council workers.
Bhakti Gosrani said it was like her son Rohan had “died all over again” when she found mementos stripped from a cemetery’s memorial garden.
Her husband Bhavin found their son’s memorial stone in a plastic bin behind the public toilets – along with items left by dozens of other heartbroken families.
Solihull council said it put up a notice warning such tributes would be removed from the garden – reserved for babies who died around the time of their birth.
Mr and Mrs Gosrani lost their son Rohan two years ago after a routine scan revealed his heart had stopped beating.
They went to the spot where his ashes are scattered at Woodlands Cemetery last week on what would have been his second birthday – and were horrified to see the plaque and other items missing.
Bhakti said: “I felt like I had just been told my son had died all over again.
“What right does anyone have to do something like this?
“I feel so sorry for my husband because he had to go through the bins, looking for the plaque.
“We found the plaque but there are other items we have not been able to find.
“We were completely and utterly devastated by this and for all of the other families this has affected.
“The council has said we have been warned in advance but not everyone visits the cemetery every day of their lives.
“I did not go to the cemetery for the first year because I just couldn’t do it.
“There will be others in my position and there will be families who are not even aware that their items have been dumped in this way.
“I am speaking out about this to make other families aware of what has happened.”
Solihull council placed a sign in the garden, which reads: “To preserve the natural beauty of this scattering area and to ensure that it is welcoming to all, the placing of items that restrict maintenance, act as a barrier to others visiting or items attached to trees, shrubs or fences is not permitted.
“The areas of ground that have been fenced off by families will soon be removed and boxed up for a period of six weeks before being disposed of, therefore if you wish to keep the items you have placed safe, please remove them yourself.”
But Mrs Gosrani said she has never been stopped from laying items in the garden and was even encouraged to do so at her son’s funeral.
A spokeswoman for Solihull council said: “The council has received complaints from service users of items being placed in the Garden of Remembrance that were impinging onto the locations of their loved ones’ remains.
“It is against regulations for floral tributes or other items to be placed in the Garden of Remembrance. These regulations have been in place since 2014.
“Signage was therefore erected for a six-week period to give notice that the items would be removed and placed nearby for collection.
“We have a duty to manage our cemeteries so that everyone has equality of access, that the atmosphere and environment is respectful, and safe for all.”
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