No parent should ever have to bury their own child. The unimaginable pain that must bring is beyond words.
When dealing with loss, having a meaningful ritual to mourn and honor the departed can offer some solace.
This truth was realized by Jo Corbett-Weeks, a grieving mother, when she finally found the perfect headstone for her son.
However, her peace was shattered when, to her dismay, the headstone disappeared after just 3 days.
Max Corbett-Gardener tragically passed away at the age of 4 due to complications from epilepsy seizures.
His devoted mother had saved diligently over years to procure a fitting headstone in his honor. After accumulating $4,580, she was able to purchase a poignant star-shaped gravestone, which was installed on a significant day.
“It would’ve been Max’s 7th birthday on Sunday, and this was sort of a birthday gift to him from me,” Jo shared with the BBC. “I chose a star-shaped headstone, because I wanted something special for Max. Something personal. This stone is perfect for my little rascal.”
Complaints Arise
In an added layer of grief, upon returning to the cemetery 3 days later, Jo found Max’s beautiful headstone missing.
“I was completely blindsided by this. The council made no effort to inform me, and it was the cemetery caretaker who relayed the news that he had been instructed to remove the headstone. I feel a mix of anger, shock, and sickness. Our family has already endured so much. I could understand if the headstone was neglected or dirty, but that’s not the case,” she expressed.
She brought the issue to the attention of the Malvern Town council, the overseeing body of the cemetery, only to be informed with minimal rationale that the headstone would not be reinstated.
Jo had specifically chosen to lay her son to rest alongside other family members in the cemetery rather than in the children’s area. Following the placement of Max’s distinguished headstone, objections were raised by another family.
“Our cemetery enforces size regulations,” remarked the council in a statement. “We were approached by individuals dissatisfied with the stone’s shape. Despite the difficulty, we felt compelled to remove it.”
They added, “The mason did not have the necessary authorization to set up the headstone in this manner, and the design does not adhere to local guidelines. By sidestepping the proper procedures, he has inadvertently caused distress to both families.”
The council is now endeavoring to redesign the headstone. Nonetheless, for Jo and her family, the suffering is deepened by this turn of events.
“The headstone held immense emotional value for us, but we are determined to have it restored. This is a distressing situation. All we seek is a space for our grief,” she expressed.
May this family find solace and the closure they seek soon, allowing their beloved son Max to receive the deserving tribute.
Share this poignant story and let’s honor the memory of Max.
Originally published by Newsner. Don’t forget to show your support!
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