A grieving family has hit out at an Angus crematorium which cancelled their 91-year-old mum’s funeral after assuring them it would go ahead on the day the Queen is laid to rest.
Relatives of Arbroath woman Marion Sharp say they are devastated after Parkgrove near Friockheim announced it would be closed on Monday.
Just 24 hours previously, staff promised the family farewell would go ahead as planned.
Mrs Sharp’s daughter Andrea Donald says they have been left feeling as if their grief doesn’t matter when compared to that of the Royal family.
Plans for loved ones from the UK and abroad to be together at Marion’s final goodbye have been left in tatters.
The crematorium owner defended his reasoning for closing the business on the day.
Ken Parke offered a “full apology” to the family, but said he hopes they understand his stance in the historic circumstances.
Family concerns after monarch’s passing
Arbroath resident Marion died in the town’s Seaton Grove care home just over a week ago.
She is survived by her three children, son Allan and daughters Andrea and Alison.
Andrea, 53, from Elgin, said arrangements were quickly put in place for the funeral on September 19.
Andrea’s daughters had made their plans to fly in from Cyprus and London.
Then, following the Queen’s death at Balmoral last Thursday, the family became worried the Royal situation might affect their plans.
“When we knew the Queen’s funeral was taking place on Monday we got our funeral director to contact them,” she said.
“As a family we were obviously concerned it might have an impact.
“We wanted to double check everything was okay.
“We contacted Parkgrove as a family and our funeral director in Arbroath also checked to see if it was still opening.
“The crematorium re-confirmed it would go ahead.
On Tuesday morning came the devastating news Parkgrove would not open on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral at Westminster Abbey.
It was one of two funerals booked for the Angus crematorium that day.
Parkgrove is privately-run and the only crematorium in Angus.
‘This is also a family in mourning’
“Why were they making this decision on Tuesday when they said on Monday it would go ahead?” said Andrea.
“We understand this is a massive thing for the whole country and it is another family in mourning.
“We’re all deeply upset at the Queen’s passing.
“But the fact is this also is a family in mourning. Their time of need is also our time of need.
“We have made arrangements, we are going through the grieving process.
“Everyone’s grief is the same, no matter what status you have.
“I am just a bit speechless. The crematorium have no respect for this family.”
Arrangements altered
Marion’s funeral will now take place in the service rooms of George Stewart in Arbroath on Monday.
And she will be cremated in Dundee later next week.
“George Stewart have been so helpful in helping us re-organise the funeral,” said Andrea.
“We’re having the service at their funeral home, and will have the wake as planned.
“But my mum is now having to have a cremation without all the family around who should be there.”
Parkgrove apology
Parkgrove owner Ken Parke said: “I was on holiday last week and got back on Monday.
“I had made up my mind while on holiday that we would not open on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
“I decided as a matter of sincere respect that was the right thing to do.
“We never close on bank holidays, but the circumstances and the fact it had been made a public holiday anyway meant I took the decision.”
But Mr Parke said it was not until Monday night that he told staff the crematorium would be closed on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
It was then relayed to funeral directors on Tuesday.
He defended the closure, but said he offered a “full apology” to the family.
“But I hope they understand the reason and I think it is a very good reason,” said Mr Parke.
“I take these things very seriously.”
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