Kids should never die before their parents. Personally, I can’t imagine anything more horrible.
The 42-year-old Jo Corbett-Week’s son was only 4 years old when he tragically died from complications associated with epilepsy.
To honor her son, his mother wanted to give him a custom-made headstone.
She ultimately chose a headstone of a teddy bear holding a star with the name Max. The specially designed headstone cost about 4,500 euros, but for Jo, it was worth every penny.
The headstone had the words “Max, our brave little soldier” engraved on it, along with his year of birth and a poem. Jo was moved to see how many people left gifts at his grave, expressing condolences to her little son. But unfortunately, not everyone showed the same level of appreciation.
Mum Jo Corbett-Weeks’ specially made headstone for her son’s… https://t.co/0pflf8WncB #Somerset pic.twitter.com/oUcilxScSO
— SOMERSET (@DailySOMERSET) June 9, 2015
Headstone Removed
As Max’s birthday approached, Jo faced a heart-wrenching sight when she visited his grave one day – his headstone was missing.
His headstone had been taken away. Jo was unaware of what had happened until she learned the disturbing truth.
Another cemetery visitor had complained that the headstone didn’t fit in among the others, leading to its removal.
“I wasn’t aware of this situation,” the mother told BBC.
“The council got in touch with me and it was the stonemason who told me he’d been asked to remove the headstone.”
“I’m just angry, upset, and raw. We’ve been through so much as a family. I could understand if it was unkempt or unsightly, but it’s not.”
UK: Jo Corbett-Weeks, 42, saved to have a special headstone made for Max, her son who died from multiple congenital issues, but the stone was removed from Great Malvern Cemetery, Worcestershire, following a complaint from one person. #WhatsWrongWithPeople pic.twitter.com/9kUm28iD1q
— Screeminmeeme : #LiveFreeOrDie #VeritasVincet (@Screeminmeeme) January 24, 2018
When questioned by the BBC, a council spokesperson revealed that the headstone was removed due to certain guidelines for the cemetery. Complaints about its appearance prompted the removal.
“It was a very difficult decision to take it away but we had no choice,” the spokesperson stated.
In the same interview, the spokesperson mentioned that the headstone had been installed without prior permission, and while it could have fit in the children’s section, it didn’t align with Jo’s wish for her son to be buried with family.
This story is heartbreaking. How could anyone do this to a grieving family?
Why remove a headstone without informing the family first? Why does it matter how someone else’s headstone looks?
Share this article with your friends on Facebook if you believe the mother should have been informed about the decision to remove Max’s headstone!
