Assume that you have been visiting the grave of your loved one for several years and you found out that it is the wrong one. What would be your reaction? You can’t imagine the feelings you would feel at that time. right?
In 1979, Sylvia Ross aged 67 years buried her father John Thomas Thompson at Witton Park Cemetery in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and subsequently she visited her father’s grave on almost every occasion, be it father’s day, birthdays, or even Christmas.
But, not quite long ago, this woman found out that the plot she passed a hell lot of time in, had beneath it the coffin of a completely unknown person, this man was supposedly named Frederick Brown. She discovered the fact that her father was laid down in an unmarked grave a couple of yards away.
Lynette, Sylvia’s daughter said that her mom is heartbroken as Sylvia’s dad has laid there thinking not one of them cared about him, with no flowers and visits. She added, ‘We’re disgusted, and my mom is heartbroken.’ ‘I never met my grandad, but my mom has been visiting his grave for 43 years and is utterly devastated.’
But how did they find out about this mistake?
The family called Durham Country Council to discuss putting a memorial up on their double plot, on contrary, they found out about the blunder. Lynette described, “When my grandad died, mam called the council to ask them to put a marker where he had been buried so she knew which plot she was going to. They put it on the plot we’ve been visiting my whole life and have taken flowers to every birthday, Christmas, and Father’s Day while he has laid there with nothing. It’s just disgusting. How can they get something so simple so wrong? ”
When John lost his life, the cemetery was managed and controlled by Wear Valley District Council but it was after this forwarded over for management to Durham County Council back in the year 2009 when it turned out to be a unitary authority.
Graham Harrison, bereavement services manager of Durham County Council said, “We are sorry for the distress this error has caused the family. At the time, the cemetery would have been managed by Wear Valley District Council. Once we were made aware of the historic mistake, we carefully moved the items to the correct grave in the quickest possible time frame.”
He further added, “Although the grave has now been corrected, this does not take away from the pain the family has experienced, and we would like to reiterate our sincerest apologies for any hurt that has been caused.”
