A FAMILY have spoke of their distress by being unable to leave a small floral memorial for their loved one this Christmas. 


Gillian Pellatt and her husband, from Popley, went to pay their respects to her mother-in-law at Basingstoke Crematorium’s ash scatter lawn, only to be confronted by a plague stating ‘Items placed here will be removed and disposed of.'


Mrs Pellatt, 65 said her mother-in-law did not want to have a memorial plaque and could not understand why the crematorium would not allow her to leave a small symbol of respect. 


“It was her wish not to have a memorial, but there is an awful lot of people who simply cannot afford one,” said the Abbey Road resident.


“I think it is unfair that there is nowhere for these people to remember their loved ones, especially at this time of year.


“I think all that needed to be done was a small memorial put in place during the Christmas period for people to lay a bunch of flowers to say ‘we are thinking of you.”


In previous visits to the crematorium, Mrs Pellatt said she had never noticed the sign.

She said she was too angry to confront anyone at the memorial garden when she saw it. 


The Stockbridge Road site is owned and run by Dignity Funerals, which said it recognises that families may want to leave floral arrangements on special occasions such and birthdays and anniversaries. 


But the items on the communal scatter lawn have to regularly be removed for further scattering to take place. 


A spokesman for Dignity Funerals said: “We have created a communal lawn for families who choose to have ashes scattered without a memorial. 


“We maintain the crematorium grounds to the highest standards for the benefit for all visitors and provide a place of beauty and tranquillity where they can remember their loved ones. 


“We would consider any suggestion that helps local families to remember their loved ones at Christmas and are considering a Memorial Service for clients next year if there is sufficient interest. 


“If any family would like advice on tributes we would be happy to help them.”