VISITORS to cemeteries in Glasgow have hit out at a “disgusting” decision by the city council to place large stickers on gravestones.
In some cases, warning labels have been placed directly over the deceased’s name and state that the stone has been inspected and failed safety standards.
The local authority has offered an explanation following anger on social media, saying it was a means to “reach out to families” where it was uncertain who had responsibility for maintaining the memorial.
The BBC reports that resident Sami Tollett was visiting her father’s resting place at Riddrie Park Cemetery when she noticed a number of graves around it had prominent stickers displayed.
She said: “It’s disgusting and morally wrong to deface somebody’s resting place. It’s actually sad to see.
“It used to be a lovely place, well-kept and maintained, but now it’s an eyesore. It’s even worse with the big stickers all over the headstones.”
Gravestones are looked after privately rather than by the council itself, with families often hiring a stone mason to work on them.
Another woman who chose not to be named told the BBC she had seen many labels were “covering up the people’s names” at Lambhill cemetery.
“It looks terrible to think your loved ones are lying here and on their stones are a big white sticker,” the woman said.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “Regular inspections of headstones is a statutory obligation for the council but the maintenance and upkeep of any memorial is a matter for the owner.
“However, as owners themselves pass on, identifying a person to take responsibility for headstone maintenance can become very challenging.
“Applying these notices to headstones is an effective way to reach out to families and they have helped us to make contact with people who have an interest in undertaking necessary repairs.”
The spokesperson added that where headstones were considered a safety risk, they could potentially be laid flat in order to avoid accidents.
