Families 'disheartened' by proposed grave rules

Campaigners Lesley Webb, Lindsey Collins and Nicola Smith previously met with Broxtowe Borough Council

Campaigners have said they are upset at a council's response to their bid to get more freedom for tributes on graves in Broxtowe.

A group of families has been lobbying Broxtowe Borough Council since October, when it said it would restrict remembrance items on plots in cemeteries it manages.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the objections led to the change of the rules being suspended by the authority for a year.

However, campaigners said their trust had been broken by the council ahead of its cabinet meeting to discuss future cemetery rules on Tuesday - as council papers showed new collaborative rules for tributes have been rejected as some are "not acceptable".

The initial dispute led the council's leader, Milan Radulovic, to call for a 12-month suspension on the ruling in October 2024.

This was to create a collaborative working group between impacted families and the council – to find a "common sense" approach.

Since then, updated, collaborative rules have been developed and these proposals were finalised in March 2025.

These include those with existing grave plots – purchased before August 2023 - with existing decorations and memorial gardens remaining as they are, in line with health and safety rules.

Safety risks

They also said hazardous items would have to be removed – even from graves bought prior to August 2023.

If the collaborative rules were approved, they would also allow grave plots purchased after August 2023 to have tribute items within two and a half feet (76cm) from the front edge of the headstone plinth.

But documents from the council's bereavement service released ahead of next week's cabinet meeting show a rejection of the rules, citing some are "not acceptable".

Officers said: "The council has inadvertently weakened its own position by granting a 12-month extension for the removal of decorative items and memorial trinkets despite clear, ongoing well-documented health, safety and accessibility risks associated with them."

Council leader Milan Radulovic suspended the implementation of the rules but a decision is now expected

Bereaved families in a joint statement called on cabinet members to reject it.

"We are disappointed with how things have been handled, but remain firm on our stance and will continue to push for council support on the original compromises and proposals agreed.

"It's been extremely disheartening to have our trust broken by [the bereavement service].

"We have all suffered so much emotional and mental distress since October, we are just ready for closure on all of this."

A cabinet meeting will be held at the council next week to discuss the report

A council spokesperson said: "A number of departments have been involved in producing the report, not one individual officer.

"We understand our Democratic Services Team have spoken with one of the families and advised them how our cabinet system works.

"The report makes recommendations which will be debated at the meeting before a decision is taken.

"They are also free to lobby their local councillor with their views on the matter to inform their decision-making process if they wish."