STILL NO GRAVE FOR GEORGE
Two years on, singer’s burial plot is so desolate
GEORGE Michael’s grave still has no headstone two years after his death. Outraged fans of the music icon are demanding someone “steps up” to solve what they describe as a “disrespectful and disgraceful” situation. Why the plot lies bare is a mystery. The Wham! legend
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 was buried at London’s Highgate Cemetery in March 2017 after he was found dead at home on Christmas Day 2016.
Official advice suggests bereaved relatives should allow ground to settle for a year before erecting a stone.
But, 21 months on, George’s family are yet to mark his grave.
Fans have criticised the lack of a memorial to their hero.
One, called Sung, said: “It’s disgraceful and disrespectful.” Another, called Leah, added: “George seemed intensely private and understated within his private life, so perhaps he didn’t want anything too grandiose.
“His place of burial should be marked in some way though.”
And a third fan, called Candy, said: “Why is there still no headstone... disgrace. Who is in charge – they need a shake.”
A shocked tourist spotted George’s bare grave on a tour of the cemetery. Our photo shows the empty space where George lies, next to his mother, Lesley Panayiotou.
The tourist said: “I knew that he didn’t have a grave a year on, so I was interested to see if that had changed when I did the tour this week.
“I made a point of looking for that reason.
“But it’s still just his mum’s big headstone and then a bare gap for George.
“That’s two years now, and they can’t blame wanting the ground to settle any more, surely.”
Last night, representatives of George Michael did not respond to our enquiry about why his grave remains unmarked.
George’s funeral was attended by family and showbiz friends. At the time, his relatives confirmed that the singer was laid to rest next to his mother.
Last December, the Daily Star Sunday reported that, a year after George’s death and nine months after his funeral, a headstone had not yet been put up.
Speaking last Christmas, a different visitor to the cemetery said: “The empty plot makes for sombre viewing that doesn’t seem to reflect George’s larger-than-life legacy.”
Yesterday, George’s family updated the singer’s website, saying that new “official” projects are coming soon.