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The decision by Glasgow City Council to place large stickers, which in some cases are covering the names of the deceased, has been criticized by visitors to cemeteries in the Scottish city. The warning labels reportedly state that the stone has failed safety standards after inspection. However, the council has justified the decision as a method to “reach out to families” should it be unclear who has responsibility for maintaining the memorial. The council asserted that safety in cemeteries is an “absolute priority” and the use of warning labels is an effective way to reach out to families who are interested in undertaking necessary repairs.
The labels have sparked outrage on social media, with people accusing the local authority of being disrespectful towards the dead. One critic, Sami Tollett, spoke out against the practice, saying, “It’s disgusting and morally wrong to deface somebody’s resting place. It’s actually sad to see. It used to be a lovely place, well kept and maintained, but now it’s an eyesore. It’s even worse with the big stickers all over the headstones.” Another visitor to the cemetery, who wished to remain anonymous, said that many of the labels were “covering up the people’s names,” and it “looks terrible to think your loved ones are lying here and on their stones are a big white sticker.”
Glasgow City Council is responsible for the inspection of headstones in cemeteries but emphasized that maintenance and upkeep of any memorial is the responsibility of the owner. Nonetheless, as owners pass on, identifying a person to take responsibility for headstone maintenance has become a significant challenge. Therefore, the application of the warning stickers to headstones was deemed an effective way to reach out to families and make contact with people interested in undertaking necessary repairs. According to the council spokesman, where headstones were deemed a safety risk, they could be laid flat to avoid accidents.
The debate around the use of warning labels on gravestones highlights the importance of balancing the needs of families with the responsibility of local authorities to maintain safety in public spaces. In May 2015, a headstone in a Glasgow cemetery fell on an eight-year-old boy, Ciaran Williamson, who died from his injuries. This tragic event demonstrated the necessity of regular safety inspections for headstones in accordance with statutory obligations
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