Who killed Kim Cattrall? Sex And The City actress offends British side of her family after her name appears on a gravestone at family plot - despite her being very much alive

• e-mail

Kim Cattrall has offended the British side of her family by having a gravestone put up with her name inscribed on it – even though she is only 60 and seemingly in good health

As the outrageous Samantha in Sex And The City, she was definitely larger than life.

But actress Kim Cattrall is already planning for the day she can finally rest in peace.

The only problem is the spot she has decided on has widened a long-standing family rift. 

Miss Cattrall has offended the British side of her family by having a gravestone put up with her name inscribed on it – even though she is only 60 and seemingly in good health.

The inscription refers to her as 'the Liverpool Cleopatra', a reference to her much-publicised return to the stage in her home city in 2010 in Shakespeare's Antony And Cleopatra.

Her cousin Michelle Cox, 49, has accused the actress of 'a total lack of respect' after she discovered the new gravestone on a Christmas Day visit to the family plot where her mother – Miss Cattrall's aunt – is buried.

The original headstone at Holy Trinity Church in Wavertree, Liverpool, referred to their grandparents William and Edith Cattrall, Mrs Cox's mother Edna and her elder brother David, who died aged one. 

However, at some point in the past two months and without the knowledge of Mrs Cox, it was removed and replaced with one that includes the names of Miss Cattrall's father Dennis, who died in 2012, and Miss Cattrall herself. 

The inscription refers to her as 'the Liverpool Cleopatra', a reference to her much-publicised return to the stage in her home city in 2010 in Shakespeare's Antony And Cleopatra. The original headstone at Holy Trinity Church in Wavertree, Liverpool, referred to their grandparents William and Edith Cattrall, Mrs Cox's mother Edna and her elder brother David

Miss Cattrall was born in Liverpool but her parents took her to Canada when she was three months old. She returned to the city from the ages of 11 to 16 to go to secondary school.

She revealed this month that there was a headstone in Liverpool 'waiting with my name, my birthdate and then a dash and space for the date of my death'. 

She said: 'It's where I want to go and rest when this fantastic ride is over. It's a family grave and there is space left for me.'

Mrs Cox, a nurse, said she had no idea the actress intended to be buried in the family plot. 

Her cousin Michelle Cox (standing, pictured with her sister Diane), 49, has accused the actress of 'a total lack of respect' after she discovered the new gravestone on a Christmas Day visit to the family plot where her mother – Miss Cattrall's aunt – is buried

She revealed yesterday that she has never met her famous cousin as a result of a family rift that began when her mother met and married her father, who was from Barbados.

Miss Cattrall's father did not approve of the mixed-race relationship, she said. 

'I have never spoken to Kim,' she added. 'When we replaced the gravestone when my mum died in 1985, it was engraved with the same wording that has been there since 1939. 

'This new gravestone is totally different. It doesn't feel like my mum's grave any more. I was absolutely shocked. It felt like I'd been burgled. I am still trying to find out what the legal status of the grave is, but even so, whoever arranged for the new headstone should have consulted me.

'It doesn't seem right that someone who has spent the majority of her life in Canada and the US can come to Liverpool and bagsy a grave simply by putting their name on it.'

Miss Cattrall (right, in Sex And The City) was born in Liverpool but her parents took her to Canada when she was three months old. She returned to the city from the ages of 11 to 16 to go to secondary school

In an appeal to Miss Cattrall on Facebook, Mrs Cox added: 'I want you to know how distraught we all our [sic] at your total lack of respect. I am not sure if what has been done is legal but I will be seeking legal advice.'

The stonemasons where the new monument was made were closed yesterday. It is not known who paid for the stone or who replaced the earlier one. The Rev Janet Eastwood, canon of Holy Trinity, could not be contacted.

A spokesman for the actress said: 'In 2010, Kim Cattrall was doing a play at the Liverpool Playhouse and she reached out to make arrangements for herself and her ailing father to be buried in the family plot.

'Her father passed away in 2012 and, per his wishes, his ashes were placed with his parents and sister in the family grave. A new headstone was commissioned to include her father's and her name. It was finally put up before Christmas.

'Kim Cattrall was not aware or informed of any relations with the Cox family and the Cattrall family plot.'