Daughter's anger over removal of memorial rose bush at Black Country crematorium

Sandwell Council is phasing out the memorials from Rowley Regis Crematorium as part of plans to overhaul the site but Diana Woodhouse has been left furious with the decision.

She says the ashes of her father, who fought in the Second World War, cannot be moved as they were sprinkled directly into the soil beneath the rose beds 10 years ago.

The 56-year-old, of Shinwell Crescent, Tividale, said had she known there was a possibility the bushes could be moved she would not have agreed for her father's ashes to rest there.

Mrs Woodhouse said: "It is absolutely ridiculous. My dad was a paratrooper and fought for this country. He has been there for 10 years, his ashes are in the soil. Now they are probably going to build a path over him."

The rose bushes are due to be removed once families' leases on them have expired. For some people that could be up to five years but Mrs Woodhouse's lease is up at the end of the month.

Families affected by the changes will be offered plaques in a new and improved remembrance garden but Mrs Woodhouse remains unimpressed.

"What good is that? I can't go there and mourn," she said. "How can it be an improved garden when my dad is not there?"

Her father James Workman lived in Tividale and died in 2005 at the age of 80.

She said she enjoys making the trip up to the plot at the Powke Lane site on Remembrance Sunday each November but now that won't be the same.

"It was lovely when we spread his ashes and we look after the rose bush when we go. Every poppy day I lay a wreath of poppies."

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said: "We have written to families about the rose beds and rose nameplate memorials which we are gradually phasing out as we look to improve the gardens of remembrance.

"The lease on this type of memorial scheme will, when expired, not be renewable but I assure everyone that we will be providing alternative memorial options. We know how important memorials are for families.

"We have also assured families there are no imminent plans to remove roses or rose name plate memorials as part of the current modernisation works.

"We expect phasing out of the nameplates and roses to take as long as five years to conclude because of the length of some families' leases on the memorials.

"The change will enable us to create a more suitable landscaping scheme, which will give families an improved garden where they can remember their loved ones.

"Families should call our memorial team on 0121 569 6700 for help on this matter if they have concerns."