Son's anger over wrong headstone at parents' grave in Hull's Northern Cemetery

A MAN has spoken of his shock at discovering the wrong headstone had been put up at his parents' grave.

Ian Lancaster, of Orchard Park, lost his mother Maureen Burkitt in May and she was laid to rest alongside her late husband Norman, who died in 1997.

Now, their son has complained to Hull City Council after discovering the wrong gravestone was used at Northern Cemetery in Chanterlands Avenue.

He said: "My parents both died of cancer and we were waiting for the ground to settle before a new headstone was fitted.

"I got the bus with my partner Nicola and the kids and they went shopping while I visited the cemetery.

"I was sickened and disgusted when I saw someone else's gravestone in the ground.

"The lady had passed away in 1997 and the gentleman in July this year.

"I went to the chapel in the cemetery and complained and they agreed it was in the wrong place."

Ian said his partner was shocked when he told her about the mix-up and his parents' grandchildren had hoped to visit the cemetery before Christmas.

He said: "They didn't really want to go because of the gravestone.

"My mother was well-known in the city and often went to bingo nights and community centres.

"They were a lovely couple and this is a horrible thing to happen. My sister Katie was quite upset.

"Everyone I've spoken to has said they don't blame me for being angry, especially at this time of the year."

The gravestone has now been removed.

It was installed by Hull memorial business GH Wriglesworth.

The headstone has now been removed by another company.

Mr Lancaster said: "I've not had an official apology.

"But they've removed the headstone and we can start putting all the other little memorials back around the grave.

"The company who put the wrong headstone in is doing a new one for us."

Hull City Council said it will discuss the matter with the company in the new year.

Mike Anderson, the council's assistant bereavement services manager, said: "We were made aware of the mistake made by GH Wriglesworth on Friday, December 21.

"Despite several attempts to contact the company, we were unable to reach them so we contacted an alternative monumental mason to remove this incorrect headstone on Christmas Eve.

"We also met the family on Christmas Eve and, understandably, they are upset with the stonemason."

Mr Anderson said the council had the headstone removed as swiftly as possible after finding out what had happened.

He said: "Although the council is not responsible for the headstone, because the monumental mason was not contactable, we decided to take corrective action so the family could pay their respects during this Christmas period.

"We will be meeting with GH Wriglesworth in the new year to discuss this distressing matter."

No one at GH Wriglesworth was available for comment.