Spitting feathers!!

Oh I do not blame you - what a dreadful things to do!

That would make me mad too. It isn’t the local authority ‘tidying up’ by any chance? Some oiks can be a bit fussy in interpreting the rules. Sorry this has been so enfuriating.

Good grief. What sort of person steals off a grave?

That is maddening and shows how low some people can sink. Sadly nothing seems sacred these days. Perhaps it would be less stressful just to keep the grave tidy and remember your father some other way, perhaps flowers in the church or a donation to his local charity.

Its really disgusting! What on earth is the point of stealing those kind of things unless its just sheer meanness?

Trust no one seems to be the message.

And a very merry Christmas and a 'may Father Christmas give them what they deserve' to those who steal from graves.

This is disgusting. I would feel like actually planting something if it's possible, instead of a removable pot. With a small note such as, "These are poisonous" or would the council ask to you remove it? Disgusting creeps.

It's unbelievable how thoughtless some people are unfortunately it's just done for a laugh .

Takes a pretty twisted mind to do this.

We just have to accept that there is low life out there who have no respect for others, who will steal just for the sake of it regardless of the pain it causes. Keep your own little tribute in the security of your own garden.

That's pretty low. With some things you can tell yourself that maybe the thief was desperate, but not for graveside theft.

This is not uncommon, my grandson is buried in the baby garden at our local cemetery. My daughter and I go every week and there is always something missing or been broken on his or one of the other graves close by. A couple of months ago the whole garden had toys, flowers and ornaments removed and scattered around.

A couple of days after my father's funeral in 1986 we visited the grave to find several wreaths etc had been taken, including the one from her and the one from my children. The cards were thrown on the floor. When she reported it she was told it happened quite often. My mother always reckoned it was a local florist, but it could equally have been people too mean to buy their own flowers for a funeral.

Its such a mindless thing to do!

I think it's disgusting I know my dad was worried that the silk flowers we had left on my mum's grave might disappear he shouldn't have to think of that. They are just evil hope they get their come uperance low llife and no respect. We don't have that person with us anymore so these little gifts are our way of coping

There really are some low-life humans amongst us, aren't there.

Is cctv an option? Its coming to something when you have to protect a place where people are supposed to be resting in peace. Absolutely foul!

Most definitely henetha.

How low can you sink. There are some people who seem to have absolutely no understanding of the feelings of others, and I can only imagine how frustrating and upsetting this is for you. The idea of having something in your own garden seems a good thing to do - perhaps plant something for him and then you could put your Christmas wreath and any other seasonal items there, and be able to see them more often. Try to forget the nasty creatures who do this kind of thing - they are not worth thinking about.

curlilox I seem to recall there was an incident a little while ago where someone filmed a woman taking wreaths from fresh grave sites. When challenged she admitted she was going to sell them at a local market!!

I have calmed down somewhat now but yesterday I was really angry - especially so for the lady who had the statue stolen from her child's grave. The local authority running the cemetery do remove some dead floral tributes but certainly not the flower holders. Christmas wreaths are usually left for several weeks as being mostly holly they last a long time. I did leave the Christmas wreath for my father but wonder whether it will be there when I go back next week (he died 27th December).

My husband is buried in a different cemetery and as far as I am aware there have never been any similar problems there.

Are there any CCTV cameras in the area that can be checked?

I think stealing from and the vandalisation of graves is a burgeoning problem in a lot of towns. The cemetery where my son-in-law is buried is fairly tucked away, but overlooked by very busy allotments. Anyone would get short shrift if they interfered with the graves because the allotment holders wouldn't stand for it.

Theoddbird Not as far as I am aware. I am assuming these thefts happen at night and all the local authority say is that they do lock the gates - the problem is the gates are less than shoulder height at the tallest part and around waist height at the lowest and can easily be climbed over - I think even I could manage it!

Do you think you could put a notice on the grave "Would you like to change places with me?" Might make them think, if they are capable. I read somewhere that someone put a notice on a car parked in a disability spot "You have my space. Would you like my disability?"