Crematorium visit

When my niece from Sydney was visiting I took her out to the crematorium with flowers and a Zip Painty oil-based marker to touch up our deceased family members’ plaques.

My niece had just about finished the task which, incidentally, she finds therapeutic, when the gardener approached her. He said she was doing his job and the charge was $57 for each plaque.

I realised he had the authority but was very defensive. He said she was ‘‘graffittiing’’ the plaques. I asked him to have a look as I thought she had done a good job, adding my niece had a degree in art. He replied you didn’t need a degree to do them - just a spray can.

I explained I engaged a stonemason to touch up my sister’s plaque. Unfortunately the lettering had faded within a year. The gardener said the resin from the trees was the problem.

My niece enquired where her handmade pottery was, and she was told that objects were taken away. Apparently everything on the garden was removed after a short period.

We left feeling very stressed. The only enjoyable thing about the visit was the coffee we had on the way home. Trish Loach Timaru Footnote: This letter was sent to the South Canterbury Crematorium for a response, but none has yet been forthcoming. — Grant Shimmin, News Director.