Heartbroken husband told he can't be buried with wife and infant son
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A grieving husband has been left heartbroken after discovering he cannot be buried with his wife and infant son due to what he claims is a blunder by Highland Council.
Sandy Shearer, who lives in Canisbay, lost his 54-year-old wife, Fiona, after a short illness last month. The couple's 11-week-old son, Nicky, died in January 1985. At that time, a family plot was bought in the local cemetery and Mr Shearer was "led to believe" it was big enough to accommodate his son, himself and his wife.
But two weeks after Fiona's funeral, he was told there was no space in the grave for him and he would have to be buried in a nearby lair. The news left him stunned.
"I always thought there would be enough room in the plot for me and Fiona to be buried with Nicky but was told that was not the case. There is no room for me," said Mr Shearer, who lives at Maldon, Upper Warse.
The undertaker, who expressed concerns about the depth of the grave when it was being prepared, suggested Highland Council waive the £959 interment fee and offer Mr Shearer a lair for free, but was told the money would have to be paid. If Mr Shearer did not pay then the undertaker would be liable, so Mr Shearer paid the bill.
However, he was offered a single lair close to his wife at no charge after a council employee visited the cemetery.
"I do not want to be near by. I have spent 40 years of my life with Fiona and do not wish to be separated from her in death," said Mr Shearer.
He is unhappy with the way the council has handled the situation.
"It was like a slap in the face when the undertaker told me there was no room for me," he said. "It is heartbreaking. Nothing is going to make this right. There does not look like being a solution.
"Highland Council has not been in touch with me to apologise for the blunder they made 35 years ago. It seems the plot was not deep enough but nobody mentioned that to me. The council have not contacted me.
"The least I would expect would be an apology for the major inconvenience and upset caused. I want to know why I was not informed of the situation before the funeral went ahead.
"All the information I have has come from the undertaker who has done everything perfectly and professionally," he added.
Mr Shearer, who is 54 and a shore worker with Pentland Ferries, wants to highlight the situation in case other families find themselves in a similar situation.
He and Fiona have two remaining family members – son Wayne, who lives in Canisbay and daughter Kerry, who stays in Aberdeen.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "Our deepest condolences are extended to the bereaved with whom Highland Council liaises in line with our policy on management rules on cemeteries. It is not appropriate for the council to comment on the circumstances of individual lairs or lair holders."
