The Walled Garden of Remembrance features plaques for hundreds of people, and is a place where relatives can remember their loved ones by placing flowers inside troughs at the base of the walls.
Barbara Neild said on a visit to the cemetery recently she found many of the vases had gone missing, including those at the base of her husband’s plaque.
It had been thought they may have been stolen, but Blackburn with Darwen Council has said it has carried out ‘routine maintenance’ at the site and the damaged vases have been taken away.
Barbara told us: “It is disgraceful.
“Quite a number of troughs have had the vases removed.
“My husband’s name was on the vase. I know for a fact my vase was not broken, as it was made of plastic.
“They have taken an awful lot of them.
“We had thought that vandals had removed them.
“I have tried to speak to someone at the council. I know that other people who have placed memorials there will be just as upset.
“I would think there are no rulings against placing vases and flowers here.
“I am just disgusted at what has happened, and it is upsetting.”
The council said it was keen to respect the wishes of visitors, but damaged memorials had been removed at the end of May.
Head of environment at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Joceline Greenaway, said: “We undertake scheduled maintenance across the cemetery at least twice a year.
“As a result, on May 28, the Wall of Remembrance was cleared of dead flowers, seasonal items and damaged memorials, including broken vases. Intact vases and small memorabilia were left in place.
“We recognise the importance of this space to families and visitors, and all work is carried out with care and respect.
“Over the past year, improvements to the Garden of Remembrance have included repairs to paved areas, new evergreen planting, tree management for safety, and enhanced cleaning to help maintain a peaceful, dignified and well-kept environment.”
Families in the lawned areas of the cemetery have spoken out in recent years after memorials were removed from gravesides due to council rulings, despite the rules being clearly communicated by the council.
The rulings there say temporary kerbs and plants are not permitted in the area. Flowers are permitted but would be removed after a few weeks.
However, vases and tributes can be placed in other sections of the cemetery outside of the designated lawned areas.