Family of stillborn girl hold graveside vigil to prevent council from removing memorial cot which breaches cemetery regulations

  • Couple put cot on daughter's grave to mark what would have been her birthday
  • But council sent them a letter telling them to remove it or it would be removed
  • Thousands of locals have signed a petition demanding council change stance
  • But after a council vote went against them, the couple have held a sit-in

By Richard Spillett for MailOnline

Published: 10:48 GMT, 24 November 2017 | Updated: 11:16 GMT, 24 November 2017

A couple have hit out their local council after they were ordered to remove a cot from their stillborn daughter's grave.

Stacy and Jason Tinmurth, from Immingham, Lincolnshire, placed the cot on the grave of their first child, Maisy Coultas Tinmurth, who was sadly delivered stillborn in September 2013.

The white cot was placed at the cemetery to mark what would have been Maisy's fourth birthday as the couple continue to remember her and grieve.

Stacy and Jason Tinmurth were ordered to remove this cot design from their daughter's gave

Stacy and Jason Tinmurth were ordered to remove this cot design from their daughter's gave

After the council told them it breached regulations, the couple have held a vigil at the grave to prevent local officials moving in and taking it away.

Mother Stacy said: 'I'm so annoyed at the way we've been treated... I accept we did wrong in not asking for permission but I didn't realise I needed it to place anything on my own daughter's resting place.

'We have moved on to an important part of life with our other children, but that doesn't mean Maisy is not still a massive part of our everyday lives and included in things.

'We make her memory live on like many others do, maybe more so than others, but each to their own. This is our way of dealing with things and we always will.

'Our other children go to the cemetery too and will continue to do so to mourn.'

A council letter to the family stated: 'Whilst I do not wish to cause any offence of upset, the cot railings is [sic] contrary to the Cemetery Regulations and must be removed immediately.

'The cemetery is a lawned cemetery and consequently no such fitting are allowed.'

The couple were sent this letter from the council saying the cot would be removed by officials

The couple were sent this letter from the council saying the cot would be removed by officials

It concluded: 'If we do not hear from you with [sic] 7 days, the railings will be removed and stored for 3 months.'

Immingham Town Council then voted to remove the cot, despite more than 55,000 locals signing an online petition.

Mr Tinmurth said he hoped the strength of feeling from supporters could help push for a rule change.

'We're absolutely overwhelmed by the support. We're so grateful to the people for fighting our cause.

'Eventually we'd like to see some changes made on a national level.'

Mayor of Immingham, councillor Stewart Swinburn, declined to comment on the matter.

The family have garnered thousands of signatures from supporters calling for a rule change

The family have garnered thousands of signatures from supporters calling for a rule change

 

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