Losing a loved one, especially prematurely, is devastating. The funeral allows mourners to say their goodbyes and lay their loved one to their final rest. One woman however has shared her devastation after discovering that less than 24 hours after the funeral of her sister, the family flowers had been stolen.
Karen Ann Davies was laid to rest on Tuesday, April 12 at the age of 57. Her sister Paula explained that her passing was sudden, and followed the recent death of their mother, leaving the family incredibly shocked. "She was the oldest one of us left, we lost mam four years ago, we're the closest family. It has affected us all so badly."
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Horrifically, on the morning of Wednesday, April 13, a family member returned to Karen's graveside in Pontypridd to find some of the family's floral tributes had been stolen, and after returning in the afternoon they realised more flowers had been stolen.
"We're all upset and emotional obviously, losing our sister so suddenly then having the funeral late Tuesday afternoon, then by Wednesday morning the flowers had been stolen," Paula explained. "It's absolutely appalling, we spent almost a thousand pounds on flowers, and most of them have gone.
"It's hard enough losing a sister, she was only 57, then getting the money together because funerals and things are expensive. For somebody to then walk in and take them, then go back later on in the day and take more is disgusting.
"My daughter went down in the morning and saw, then my nephews went back in the afternoon and more had gone, between about one and three o'clock. They've got people working there, groundsmen, but they say they can't stop people carrying flowers."
Paula noted that all the cards with personal messages to Karen had been stolen along with the tributes, adding: "It's just sick". The family have reported the theft to the council and South Wales Police, however they feel because it's flowers from a graveside that there's little that will be done.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "South Wales Police has received reports of flowers being stolen from a grave in Pontypridd on April 13, 2022. Enquiries were conducted and local policing teams have been made aware of the items missing, should they be located in the area. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact South Wales Police quoting reference 2200121956."
Police can be contacted here, via private message on Facebook/Twitter, via email: SWP101@south-wales.police.uk, or via phone on 101. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council have also been contacted for comment. To get the latest news from Pontypridd, sign up to our dedicated newsletter here.
