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| THURROCK NEWS |  | | | | | | | | | SPORT | | | | ELECTION
2008
| | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | | | | |
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Tragic teenager's funeral distress as new grave is dug in front of mourners
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| Georgia Hammond |
HAVERING Council have denied the claims made in a national newspaper today that staff at the Cortbett's Tey Crematorium forgot to dig the grave of Thurrock A13 crash victim, Georgia Hammond, making her family wait two hours to bury her.
In the report, a member of Georgia's family says that when they turned up at the cemetery in Upminster there was no grave for Georgia, and they could only look on as grave diggers dug
out her final resting place in front of them.
Georgia, 18, from Aveley, was killed
on February 10 along with friend Katie Johnson, 19, also from Thurrock, after their
silver Renault Clio struck a lamppost on the off-slip road at the Stifford interchange in the early hours.
More than 200 heartfelt tributes to the popular
teenagers were posted on the Gazette's website in the days following their death, and over 400 people turned up to pay their respects to Georgia on the day of her funeral.
Speaking to the national paper an unnamed family friend said: "It's bad enough that Georgia's parents had to bury their daughter, but to have to stand around and watching while someone digs out her grave - well that is just incredible.
"It needs highlighting how incompetent the crematorium was, the family feel really
let down at what is a very difficult time in their lives."
However, Havering Council say that Georgia's family came to the cemetery shortly after her death and chose the plot where they wanted their daughter to be buried, but when the paperwork for the burial was sent in a few weeks later this information was not on there so a grave
was prepared elsewhere following the normal procedure.
The council also maintain that when the funeral cortege arrived for the burial and cemetery staff were made aware that the family wanted Georgia burried in another part of the cemetery, they dug a new grave within 45 minutes, not two hours.
The Council says that they have received a letter from the funeral director praising the cemetery staff's speed and professionalism in dealing with the situation.
Spokesperson for Havering Council, Joe Agius said: "We were initially asked to prepare a new grave, which we did before the funeral. A requested alternative was prepared in 45 minutes to minimise any further distress to Georgia's family and friends.
"Again, we would express our regret to Georgia's family and friends for any additional upset that may have been caused."
3:50pm Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: daniellebaybee93, grays on 9:51am Fri 28 Mar 08
aww thats terrible and really sad its bad enough having to watch your daughter being buried let alone watching them dig the grave
x
aww thats terrible and really sad its bad enough having to watch your daughter being buried let alone watching them dig the grave
x
Posted by: june, London on 5:17pm Fri 28 Mar 08
I attended the funeral and burial of Georgia. Although the grave had not been dug in the expected location, it was [bold]definitely NOT[/bold] a 2 hour wait, closer to 45 minutes. Nobody [bold]had[/bold] to watch the grave being dug and as far as I know the immediate family definitely did not watch. Those who watched chose to do so, although personally I cannot see why they did. It was an unfortunate situation and obviously added to the stress of the day, but the reports above are totally inaccurate and unfair.
I attended the funeral and burial of Georgia. Although the grave had not been dug in the expected location, it was
definitely NOT a 2 hour wait, closer to 45 minutes. Nobody
had to watch the grave being dug and as far as I know the immediate family definitely did not watch. Those who watched chose to do so, although personally I cannot see why they did. It was an unfortunate situation and obviously added to the stress of the day, but the reports above are totally inaccurate and unfair.
Posted by: carra, chafford hundred on 8:58pm Sat 29 Mar 08
i attended the funeral and burial of georgia. i fault it was sad enough to see my freind get burial let a known see her grave been dug. just to say it did not take 2 hours it took 45 minutes max. we love you so much georgia we miss you loads. RIP BABES
i attended the funeral and burial of georgia. i fault it was sad enough to see my freind get burial let a known see her grave been dug. just to say it did not take 2 hours it took 45 minutes max. we love you so much georgia we miss you loads. RIP BABES
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