A family has described their anguish after being told they could not bury their relative with her parents in Hay-on-Wye Cemetery.

Leanda Phillips and her mother Patricia claim that they were called on the day of Mary Davies’ funeral to tell them that her ashes could not be added to the plot.

Leanda says that her grandmother, Mary Davies’ final wish was to be buried with her parents in Hay-on-Wye Cemetery.

However due to missing paperwork and records, the ashes of the late Mrs Davies have not been able to join the unmarked grave in Hay, following her funeral on August 20 of 2020.

Leanda said: “On the day of my nan’s funeral, we had a phone call to say that they were unable to dig the plot for my nan to go in because they had no record that the plot had been bought, even though my nan’s parents are buried there.

“We asked if we could do a test dig to see if her parents were in there and the council refused and told us that we weren’t allowed. They’ve told us that basically, if we want my nan to be buried there then we have to buy the plot again even though her parents are buried there - but they won’t allow us to prove that.”

Leanda claims that Powys County Council told them that the bodies were “lost” in the cemetery, claiming that while they are in the cemetery they didn’t know exactly where.

Hay Cemetery plot
The unmarked plot in Hay-on-Wye Cemetery where the late Mary Davies wished to be buried alongside her parents (B&R)

The 27-year-old from Hay, who has an interment for her great-grandfather at the plot, also claimed that Powys tried to tell the family that the grave is a footpath rather than a grave without a headstone.

But Powys County Council told the Brecon & Radnor Express that it accepted that her grandmother’s parents were not only in the cemetery, but also in the stated plot.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The council accepts the grandparents of Ms Phillips are buried at Hay-on-Wye Cemetery and at the location stated by the family. However, the council has searched its records for a copy of proof of ownership documentation and nothing has been found.

“The council has found a copy of the grandfather’s notice of interment in its records, which states that the burial plot had not been purchased at the time of the interment.

“The council can only give permission for interments in its cemeteries when it is provided with the relevant proof of ownership documentation.

“This position has been explained to family members, who have the option of purchasing the plot that would allow the interment to take place.”

In response to this, Leanda describes the situation as “disgusting” that she is being asked to provide burial records for her late grandfather and grandmother, from around 75 years ago.

“I have previously explained that it is also [Powys County Council’s] duty to keep all documentation of everyone who is buried in the cemetery,” she said.

“The fact they are saying my grandparents never paid for their plot is absolutely disgusting as there is no way two people would be allowed to be buried for free.

“But as we don’t have any documents to secure that, they have told us if my mother is to be buried there that we have to buy the plot again. Bearing in mind that when I asked where on their records my grandparents were buried their response was ‘they are up there somewhere we just don’t know where’ - this is despicable negligence on their part and they should be ashamed for themselves.

“This has been going on for nearly two years and has caused huge upset for the family as we haven’t been able to fulfil my grandmother’s last wish to be buried with her parents.”