The sign encouraged families to instead use natural flowers, and vases approved by the cemetery\u2019s administration office. <\/p>\n
Lee\u2019s sister, who asked to be identified only as Juliet, was also offended. \u201cWhy does everything have to look the same? Why must every resting place be stripped? <\/p>\n
Purewa Cemetery erected a sign introducing its plan to “green up” and explaining that plastic, glass and ceramic items must be removed, unless approved by its administration office. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine burying a child and then being told you can\u2019t leave a little memento or tribute; natural flowers die.\u201d<\/p>\n
Juliet contacted Purewa Cemetery\u2019s general manager Alistair Crombie on July 22 to question why families were no longer allowed to leave personal mementoes on the graves of their loved ones. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot everyone can get to the cemetery to leave fresh flowers regularly,\u201d Juliet wrote in her email to Crombie. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think this policy is uncaring and mean-spirited. The rows that have been cleared looked sad, unloved, boring and lifeless now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Juliet wrote that she could understand restrictions on items such as plastic windmills, but questioned how a \u201crelatively flat concrete dog\u201d, a painted stone and small succulent garden could pose any risk of being damaged by, or becoming caught in, lawnmowing equipment, which was the explanation she said she had been given. <\/p>\n
Richard Lee’s sister, Juliet, told the Herald Purewa Cemetery’s Y Block looked sad, unloved and boring without the mementoes. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother was very upset … she especially bought that little dog to be with my father as he had always had Labradors. It had been there causing no issue for over 30 years. She lived in Napier for 11 years and was comforted to know that dad had a little companion with him,\u201d she wrote. <\/p>\n
Juliet received a response on Tuesday after the Herald sent questions to the cemetery. <\/p>\n
Crombie apologised for the delayed response and for the distress caused to Juliet\u2019s mother, Bev. <\/p>\n
Crombie wrote that the initiative was aimed at addressing plastic flowers and other items such as windmills that are non-compliant under cemetery bylaws. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is proving very difficult though and we are finding some visitors really like it and some others are not keen on it, so yes there is a bit of tension about this project. We haven\u2019t progressed this initiative very far yet, as you will have observed, due to these concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is also a safety component involved for our maintenance staff and cemetery visitors where broken vases can be mowed over or walked on, and wire from the plastic flowers punctures mower tyres, which happens quite often. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe berms are also not designed to hold a lot of items, so there\u2019s also an issue with things encroaching on to neighbouring plots, that\u2019s also quite common.\u201d <\/p>\n
Crombie wrote that he thought there was merit to Juliet\u2019s suggestion of a review of the \u201cgreen up\u201d project, and he would look into it further and communicate with her about that. He also offered to meet. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would also like to offer you a custom-built concrete planter box designed for the Y Block berms at no charge,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThe stone that was removed could be placed in the planter along with your plants.\u201d <\/p>\n
Richard Lee’s father, Bruce, with one of his pet Labradors. Bruce died on his 61st birthday and family put a small concrete Labrador on his grave.<\/p>\n
Bruce Lee died on his 61st birthday. His family said he was a quiet man who owned a small orchard in Hawke\u2019s Bay and loved gardening, the outdoors \u2013 and his Labradors. <\/p>\n
Crombie acknowledged in an email to the Herald that the \u201cgreen up\u201d policy had become polarising and would take years to implement. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe acknowledge the customer\u2019s complaint as valid and deeply regret the sadness they have experienced. As this was a new trial initiative for Purewa, we will review how we continue it.\u201d <\/p>\n
Bruce Lee’s empty memorial will soon have his sleeping dog back. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
Richard Lee said being offered a free vase at this point \u201cfeels off\u201d. <\/p>\n
Juliet and her mother plan to take Crombie up on his offer to meet them.<\/p>\n
And in the latest twist in the plot, Purewa Cemetery has emailed the family to confirm their beloved Labrador can return to its spot on their father\u2019s grave. <\/p>\n
A small victory for a small dog that was never really the problem. <\/p>\n