Glasgow City Council decision to place safety warning stickers on graves branded 'disrespectful'

Glasgow City Council has come under fire for placing safety warning stickers on graves.

The local authority has placed several large warning labels on gravestones at Riddrie Park cemetery that have failed safety inspections.

A mourner took to social media to warn other families that their loved ones’ headstones could have been deemed unsafe.

One person branded the move as “disrespectful and absolutely shocking” while another said the stickers were “disgusting”.

However, the local authority has since defended the stickers, calling it a “fairly standard approach” to maintain the safety of the gravestones.

They confirmed it serves as a way to reach out to families to maintain the memorial, and if they don’t get in touch and the gravestone continues to deteriorate – the stone will be laid flat.

A council spokesman said: “The safety of those working in and visiting our cemeteries is an absolute priority.

“Regular inspections of headstones is a statutory obligation for the council but the maintenance and upkeep of any memorial is a matter for the owner.

“However, as owners themselves pass on, identifying a person to take responsibility for headstone maintenance can become very challenging.

“Applying these notices to headstones is an effective way to reach out to families and they have helped us to make contact with people who have an interest in undertaking necessary repairs

“Headstone maintenance is not a service we provide and families must privately engage an appropriate stone mason to complete any work.

“As a last resort, headstones will be laid flat to ensure public safety, although we know this can cause upset to families when they become aware of the poor condition of their family members’ memorial.”