News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

St-John-the-Baptist-Church-in-Armitage-Staffordshire-main_article_image.jpg
Wikimedia Commons
UK News

CofE judge intervenes in tombstone row

The name of Susannah Cragg, who died aged 82 last April, was added to the tombstone of her first husband in Armitage, who died in 1978, by the couple's two sons.

A second tombstone in the same area at St John the Baptist Church was also erected by Mrs Cragg's second husband, Bill Allison, who refused to move it after her son's complained.

A Church of England judge has ruled having two tombstones to mark Mrs Cragg's death is inappropriate and recommended that Mr Cragg's tombstone should include an addition, saying Susannah had been widowed and the wife of Bill.

Stephen Eyres QC, Chancellor of the Diocese of Lichfield, was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying: "I cannot compel the petitioners to add words to the headstone but I can make the addition of a suitable inscription a precondition of the headstone remaining in position and of the removal of the new memorial put there by Mr Allison."

Conceding defeat, 82 year old Mr Allison said: "I've got no choice but to accept the ruling, it was never my intention to cause upset.

"I did ask the stonemason's if the words 'nee Matthewson' could be included on my headstone but by then they said it was too late."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate