Post by Brooke on Jan 21, 2004 18:14:21 GMT -5
Grave fight for one man and his dog
August 26, 2003 12:01
A DEVOTED dog owner today pleaded for permission to be buried with his beloved boxer's ashes in a cemetery on the outskirts of Norwich.
Matthew McGrotty wants his remains to be interred at Sprowston Cemetery along with the ashes of his faithful friend — his precious boxer dog Chester.
The 55-year-old has written a heartfelt letter to the parish council asking councillors to consider his request to have Chester's cremated remains buried with his own.
The father-of-two, whose son Matthew is a well-known local snooker player, said: "My dog has been a massive part of my life and a very faithful companion. He is a member of my family and will remain so. He's a pedigree boxer dog. He's now eight-and-a-half years old and I have had him since he was six months old, so he is a big member of my family. He's the only dog I have ever had."
Many local authorities do allow urns containing cremated pets to be buried in the same grave of their owners.
Sprowston parish councillors first discussed the issue in September last year when another man inquired about being buried with his cremated pet and on that occasion members were split on the issue.
Some had no objections, but others felt it could cause "offence and distress."
A motion was put forward for the council to inquire into the legal implications and practice of permitting burial of cremated pets and come back with a detailed report.
But after the vote was tied, the presiding chairman Robin Knowles said he did not wish to exercise his casting vote and the motion was not carried. Mr McGrotty, of Chenery Drive, said he hoped the council would now think again following his letter.
He said the rest of his family fully backed his desire to have Chester buried with him and revealed he had decided to be cremated so that he could stay with his adored animal.
He said: "I am a Scot and not one member of my family has ever been cremated, but I am prepared to be because of my dog. I had always wanted to be buried but because my dog is so much a part of my life I wanted to be cremated so he can be with me."
Mr McGrotty, director of city-based Norwich Fabrication Ltd, has lived in Sprowston for more than 30 years — and wants to stay there. He said: "I would like to remain in Sprowston. I have lived in Norwich longer than I was in Scotland and it is here where I want to be buried."
The issue will be discussed again when the council meets at the council office in Recreation Ground Road tomorrow night.
Mr McGrotty said: "I have a friend who has looked it all up and there are other cemeteries that are willing to do this. I understand that in Victorian times people might have been unhappy about it but this is the 21st century. I have spoken to several dog owners in Sprowston and not one thought it was a bad idea."
Alan Fairchild, clerk of Sprowston Parish Council, said: "There are a number of cemeteries which do allow the cremated remains of small pets to be interred.
"At the meeting I am going to ask if the council is prepared to reconsider its position."
The Rev Gill Bridges, of St Mary's and St Margaret's, who has overseen many burials at Sprowston Cemetery, said last year she would be happy to be buried with her cat.
Copyright © 2003 Archant Regional. All rights reserved
August 26, 2003 12:01
A DEVOTED dog owner today pleaded for permission to be buried with his beloved boxer's ashes in a cemetery on the outskirts of Norwich.
Matthew McGrotty wants his remains to be interred at Sprowston Cemetery along with the ashes of his faithful friend — his precious boxer dog Chester.
The 55-year-old has written a heartfelt letter to the parish council asking councillors to consider his request to have Chester's cremated remains buried with his own.
The father-of-two, whose son Matthew is a well-known local snooker player, said: "My dog has been a massive part of my life and a very faithful companion. He is a member of my family and will remain so. He's a pedigree boxer dog. He's now eight-and-a-half years old and I have had him since he was six months old, so he is a big member of my family. He's the only dog I have ever had."
Many local authorities do allow urns containing cremated pets to be buried in the same grave of their owners.
Sprowston parish councillors first discussed the issue in September last year when another man inquired about being buried with his cremated pet and on that occasion members were split on the issue.
Some had no objections, but others felt it could cause "offence and distress."
A motion was put forward for the council to inquire into the legal implications and practice of permitting burial of cremated pets and come back with a detailed report.
But after the vote was tied, the presiding chairman Robin Knowles said he did not wish to exercise his casting vote and the motion was not carried. Mr McGrotty, of Chenery Drive, said he hoped the council would now think again following his letter.
He said the rest of his family fully backed his desire to have Chester buried with him and revealed he had decided to be cremated so that he could stay with his adored animal.
He said: "I am a Scot and not one member of my family has ever been cremated, but I am prepared to be because of my dog. I had always wanted to be buried but because my dog is so much a part of my life I wanted to be cremated so he can be with me."
Mr McGrotty, director of city-based Norwich Fabrication Ltd, has lived in Sprowston for more than 30 years — and wants to stay there. He said: "I would like to remain in Sprowston. I have lived in Norwich longer than I was in Scotland and it is here where I want to be buried."
The issue will be discussed again when the council meets at the council office in Recreation Ground Road tomorrow night.
Mr McGrotty said: "I have a friend who has looked it all up and there are other cemeteries that are willing to do this. I understand that in Victorian times people might have been unhappy about it but this is the 21st century. I have spoken to several dog owners in Sprowston and not one thought it was a bad idea."
Alan Fairchild, clerk of Sprowston Parish Council, said: "There are a number of cemeteries which do allow the cremated remains of small pets to be interred.
"At the meeting I am going to ask if the council is prepared to reconsider its position."
The Rev Gill Bridges, of St Mary's and St Margaret's, who has overseen many burials at Sprowston Cemetery, said last year she would be happy to be buried with her cat.
Copyright © 2003 Archant Regional. All rights reserved