I've just started a battle with the council now about getting re-instated. As I don't own the grave and they have no record who does then legally I can't have the work done But I've still got a few avenues to go down yet.
I wonder who does take ownership when the immediate family have died?
Paul
Quote "I wonder who does take ownership when the immediate family have died?"
It can get very complicated.
I`m very surprised the Council have no record of ownership.
Do they not have Grave registers?
If the grave lease has expired then most grave ownership reverts back to the burial authority & anyone can take ownership for a fee.
Rather than get into a battle its always wise to try & talk to the staff on site, I`m not saying it`ll help - but it might, my personal experience of council staff is either they are job`s worth`s or the complete opposite & only too willing to try & help. The hardest part is finding the helpful ones.
You could try & find a Will from the last known owner or person buried & then follow who may have inherited the grave/estate.
As there is a soldier listed it might be an idea to contact the War Graves commission, they could possibly assist you in your quest....they may be able to move a few obstinate whatsits at the council.
I`ll try & find out if there is any other way around the ownership issue, it may be possible to do statuary declaration & claim ownership?
To give you an example of how awful some council staff can be.
A colleague I work with told me a tale.
Her mother went to a Council Cemetery & asked to see a entry in the Book of Remembrance, the fellow said what date & her Mother said "I think it was either July,my Dads birthday or August when he died", the council fella said "well you need to chose!" She said "Can I look at both pages" & he said "No, you only get one choice" ..... Sadly she picked the wrong day......She is 80+ years old.... to say I was shocked was an understatement, but I know the site & I should not have been shocked. Shameful isn`t the word.
I was speaking to a Lady who had visited another Council run site & she was shocked at their attitude & lack of any flexibility to her plans for her funeral service, it was a case of do as we say or go elsewhere.
I do hope you can get your relatives Headstone restored.
Regards.
Steve