Family left distraught as wrong grave is dug at Bolton cemetery

A FAMILY was left speechless after an error at a cemetery saw the wrong plot being dug for a grandfather â€" delaying his burial by 45 minutes while a new grave was dug.

The service for Charles Todd, known as Bill, who died aged 65 following an illness, had ran smoothly at St James’ Church, Breightmet, on Monday, and the cortege was taken to Tonge Cemetery.

But when they arrived at the plot Mr Todd’s family pointed out that this was not the site they had originally selected.

They were taken to the desired plot and had to wait while a digger arrived to dig out the grave.

The incident delayed the wake by nearly an hour and many friends and relatives could no longer make it.

Charles’ son, Eddie Todd, from Breightmet, said: “Everything started well, the hearse came on time at 12.40pm and the service was absolutely wonderful.

“The funeral directors were brilliant as well. But when we got to the cemetery the car pulled up next to the wrong plot.

“We had gone there a couple of weeks before to select the location and it had been marked with a cross. My mum had decided on it as it was up the hill slightly so looked out on the rest of the cemetery.

“We told them that this wasn’t the plot we had selected and that someone needed to come and dig the new plot.

“A digger arrived and we were all stood there watching as they dug the grave. I don’t even have any words to describe how they felt.

“It was awful, we were waiting for 45 minutes. For my dad’s grandchildren it was particularly bad as this will be their first experience of a funeral

“When they lowered the casket in it went lopsided as well. It’s really upset my mum â€" she says that image is all she can see now.

“By the time we got to the wake any friends and relatives who’d travelled far all had to go home which was a real shame.

“It messed up the hot food we had delivered and the bagpiper we hired had to wait around. It was just a mess.

“This has had such a huge impact on us. I can’t believe it even happened. I’ve never heard of this happening before.

“I cannot emphasise enough how great the minister was at the church and the funeral directors, but someone is to blame at the cemetery for this mistake."

One of Charles’ granddaughters, Amanda Todd said: “He was essentially another dad to me. To have this as my last memory is just awful.”

Charles’ widow Anne added: “It was so undignified, this is not the lasting memory we wanted. I just hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Eddie added: “You couldn’t have asked for a better dad and grandad. He was so loving and caring.”

A spokesman for Bolton Council said:“This was a deeply regrettable mistake on our part and we offer our sincere apologies to Mr Todd’s family for the upset and distress caused.

“We have contacted the family to apologise and to discuss if we can, in some way, make up for what has happened.”

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