Overview
The complainants (Mr and Mrs C) complained that information on a sign at the gates of a cemetery was inaccurate. They had based their decision to have their child interred in the cemetery on the information on this sign and other information supplied to them by North Lanarkshire Council (the Council).
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the information on the sign at the gates of the cemetery, which played a large part in Mr and Mrs C's decision to have their child interred there, was inaccurate (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council:
- (i) reconsider their decision not to close the cemetery gates in light of the discrepancy between the decision and the Rules, and thereafter install signage that accurately reflects the security of the cemeteries and ensure that the Rules are compatible with the outcome of the decision; and
- (ii) addresses the specific injustice caused to Mr and Mrs C by apologising to them for the distress caused by the misleading signage and, whilst reconsidering their decision as noted in (i) above, the Council take action to ensure that paragraph 36 of the Rules is properly enforced. This could take the form of regular security checks being made in cemeteries outside manned hours or further liaison with the Police to ensure adequate patrols are made of cemeteries.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.