Mourners have expressed outrage after health and safety stickers were placed on gravestones deemed hazardous by a council in Glasgow, Scotland. The stickers, covering names, dates, and tributes, have been criticised as “disrespectful” and “morally wrong” by families visiting cemeteries.
The intervention was initiated by Glasgow City Council, which deemed the warning stickers necessary to prompt families to repair unstable headstones, labelling them as “dangerous.” This action, however, has been met with strong backlash, with many accusing the council of “defacing” graves and disrespecting resting places.
Sami Tollett, visiting her father’s grave at Riddrie Park Cemetery, told BBC Scotland, “It’s disgusting and morally wrong to deface somebody’s resting place. It’s sad to see—what was once a lovely and well-maintained place has now become an eyesore, worsened by big stickers on headstones.”
Similarly, Gillian Sooter, visiting Lambhill Cemetery, expressed distress over seeing names obscured by stickers. “It’s terrible to think that loved ones are resting here with big white stickers covering their names,” she said.
The council’s actions stem from a tragic incident in 2015 when eight-year-old Ciaran Williamson died after a headstone toppled in Craigton Cemetery. In response, the council began annual inspections of gravestones, conducting “topple tests” to check for instability.
A council spokesperson explained, “We understand this can be upsetting, but safety must come first to prevent incidents like those in 2015. The stickers have proven to be the most effective way to reach out to families, who are legally responsible for grave maintenance.”
The council further clarified that while it is obligated to inspect headstones, maintenance remains the responsibility of the owners. “Identifying responsible parties can be challenging as generations pass, but these notices have successfully helped us make contact with families for necessary repairs. If repairs are not completed, laying headstones flat may be necessary to ensure public safety,” the statement concluded, acknowledging that such measures could cause distress.
