A heartbroken mum has been ordered to take down a Christmas tree from her still born baby boy’s grave after Norwich City Council said it was a health and safety hazard.
Stephanie Browne, 27, was devastated after being told to take down the 6ft plastic tree from the final resting place of her son Oskar, who died in 2010.
Stephanie Browne, 27, was devastated after being told to take down the 6ft plastic tree from the final resting place of her son Oskar, who died in 2010
The heavily pregnant Mum, who has two other children, has visited Oskar at least once a week for more than seven years and always decorated the grave in Earlham Cemetery in Norwich, for special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas.
But bereaved Stephanie was told to remove the Christmas tree after Norwich City Council told her people had complained about it.
Stephanie said her ex-partner, Oskar’s father, received a letter saying the tree had to be moved because people found it inappropriate, and was then given 13 days to remove the tree.
Stephanie was ordered to take down a Christmas tree from her still born baby boy’s grave after Norwich City Council said it was a health and safety hazard
‘My four-year-old daughter Ola loves Oskar.
‘If we don’t go and visit she cries and she didn’t really understand when I told her we had to take the tree down,’ Stephanie told the Norwich Evening News.
‘I can’t do anything else for Oskar.
‘He can’t be here to open presents with us, so I want the grave to look its best.
‘I do it on Oskar’s birthday – that’s when I go mad – but also Halloween and Christmas.
Baby Oskar’s father received a letter saying the tree had to be moved because people found it inappropriate, and was then given 13 days to remove the tree
‘It’s only four weeks a year, the grave is always tidy.
‘It’s not hurting anyone.’
Stephanie has now removed the tree against her will, but said she could have done without the stress as she is pregnant with her fourth child, due next month.
Stephanie has visited Oskar’s grave at least once a week for more than seven years and always decorated the grave in Earlham Cemetery in Norwich, for special occasions such as birthdays, halloween, and Christmas
A Norwich City Council spokesperson told the Mirror they had to keep the cemetery safe.
‘We understand how important it is for families to be able to pay their respects to loved ones who have passed away.
‘Wherever possible we will use our discretion around items placed on graves, especially at poignant times of the year,’ she said.
‘But we have a duty to make sure the cemetery is kept safe and accessible to everyone that visits.’
Stephanie has now removed the tree against her will, but said she could have done without the stress as she is pregnant with her fourth child, due next month