Halt the planned redevelopment of graves at Rowley Regis Crematorium!

Generations of rose and flowerbed memorials are planned to be removed and replaced with a plaque at Rowley Regis Crematorium leaving families only the option of mourning at a name plate with no real attachment to the deceased.

The ashes of parents, grandparents & children, war heroes & community leaders all alike have had their ashes scattered in these gardens. The council plan to redevelop the gardens to modernize them but this is something the families don't want, need or care for.

Rowley Regis Crematorium have told the Express & Star that all the affected families have been contacted, this has not happened. On contacting the crematorium, it appears that they are only contacting families when their lease is due to expire; up to five years from now in some cases. This leaves some families with little to no opportunity to stop the action from happening whether they like it or not.

While the crematorium are offering the families a name plaque (no mention of prices have been released yet) most people feel that this is not a fair compromise as it's not where their loved ones have been laid to rest.

I feel this move by Sandwell Council (C/O Darren Cooper) is frankly, disgusting, especially to think that the first most have heard of it was through the local newspaper. If space is the concern, the council should be spending this redevelopment money on expanding the grounds or buying grounds away from the main building if necessary; there is a giant field just over the road.

The current gardens should not be removed and should be respected for what they represent.

ref: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/05/26/daughters-anger-over-removal-of-rose-bush-at-black-country-crematorium/