Liam Robinson has vowed to get answers from Hull City Council, who say they contacted the family in advance
Cora’s grave after Liam and his family discovered it has been altered.(Image: Liam Robinson)
A bereaved dad who lost his baby daughter has told of his anger, upset and disbelief at the removal of sentimental items from her grave. Liam Robinson, 31, was appalled to find baby Cora’s grave “flattened” when he and his family visited Northern Cemetery earlier this week.
The dad-of-five, who lives off Holderness Road, was faced with the devastation of losing his Cora – a twin – in February this year. Following a funeral, a plot within the baby section of Northern Cemetery was chosen and the family set about making the grave “a pretty place” with some adornments and the planting of a rose which had rested atop her casket.
Earlier this week the family visited Northern Cemetery to lay flowers, only to find Cora’s plot was drastically changed, with the removal of items, along with a border and stones.
“The grave was flat to the floor,” said Liam. “I thought, “what’s gone on here” and I went into the office to ask what had gone on, where my possessions were – including keepsakes and the rose that was in the centre. That was on Cora’s casket and it was obviously very sentimental to us.”
Liam said he was told verbally the grave was cleared because the features had been unauthorised and that rule changes meant the grave could not look as it did. The family had seen that one other grave next to Cora’s had also been cleared, but that “perhaps 50 to 60 around it” and given similar decorations had remained untouched.
Liam added: “They [Hull City Council] are adamant they sent a letter, but if I’d have been sent one regarding my child’s grave, I’d have addressed it – removed the keepsakes and worked with them to come to a compromise. It was very civil at first, and I said “look, the keepsakes can be replaced, but the rose is very sentimental because it comes from the casket, and can I have it”.
He was later handed a bucket containing “smashed up ornaments” which Liam said had clearly been thrown together but with several items missing. The precious rose was handed back as a “dried up bundle of leaves which had been dragged out of the floor”.
The grieving family – who are also reeling from Cora’s twin brother having recently spent time in hospital – are now seeking answers from Hull City Council. Liam, who has filed a complaint with the council and even raised the issue with Humberside Police, claimed: “There are graves not much more than a metre from Cora’s with the same things, and we’re not allowed it in our section. I can’t comprehend it in my head.”
A Hull City Council spokesperson said: “We understand that the removal of the memorabilia has been deeply upsetting for the family. However, in the baby section of Northern Cemetery, we must maintain standards in order to preserve the presentation and feel of the site for all deed holders.
“Families are informed that unauthorised memorabilia is not permitted, however we sincerely understand that this is a very sensitive matter and will always contact the family before any items are removed and stored.
“We can confirm that the family was contacted on two separate occasions, to remind them that the memorabilia was unauthorised, and that they had 28 days to remove the items themselves, or to speak to us about it. As this was not completed within this period, we documented and recorded all items of the memorabilia and carefully removed them, in line with our policy ensuring we apply the rules consistently and fairly.
“Since the removal, the family has been assisted in collecting the items.”
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