Grieving mum wanting to leave flowers at daughter’s grave finds mountain of mud dumped on headstone by council workers
A MUM who lost her teenage daughter to pneumonia has been left heartbroken after being unable to leave flowers at her grave because it’s been turned into a ‘building site.’
Michelle Hodosi was shocked to find a mountain of mud piled over the headstone of her daughter Shannon, who died aged 17 two years ago.
It meant Michelle, 43, was unable to properly pay her respects on the second anniversary of her death.
Council bosses apologised and said the earth had been dug up to bury another body at Preston Cemetery, Lancs.
But Michelle and her brother Phillip Morrison, 46, have condemned heartless council workers - and have put it down to laziness.
Last night Michelle, of Preston, said: “I was disgusted. I couldn’t even stand there, or even lay flowers on her grave.
“There’s just no respect on the part of the council for people who want to visit their loved ones.
“It was just completely insensitive, especially when it was clear on the headstone that it was the anniversary of her death.
“There was also waste land next to the site where the earth could have been dumped but they put it over my daughter’s grave – they just have no respect.
“When I went and saw it for myself I was just angry and upset - I couldn’t even take her a bunch of flowers.”
Furious Philip said: “I’m so angry. They didn’t even apologise and they left it looking like a building site.
“I loved her so much and I know you shouldn’t say this but she was my favourite.
“I was just so close to her and I didn’t even have any space to place the flowers I’d brought.
“When I arrived at her graveside my first thought was that they’d dug it up, then my emotions turned to anger because it was like they’d invaded my personal space.
“They said the earth had been dug out for another body, for another funeral but what I don’t understand is, why they couldn’t have put it elsewhere?
“I think it’s just laziness on the part of the council workers.
“They could have at least given a reason and tried to justify what they did – but it just seemed like they couldn’t be bothered moving it.
“I just want answers and a reason why this has happened – it’s just not good enough.
“My friends at the local community group said it happens all the time.
“I’m just so disappointed in the council.”
A Preston Council spokesman said: “We’re really sorry this has been upsetting for the family, however this is a working cemetery.
“The gardening staff take considerable care when using the board to protect neighbouring graves when conducting a new burial in the most respectful way possible.
“Within hours of the funeral taking place the boards were removed and the grave was restored, treating the area with the greatest respect.
“We do try to work efficiently and with the least disruption to cemetery visitors at their most vulnerable time.”
