‘None of us would ever have let our Muggy be buried alone’

FRIENDS of Margaret Melvin were determined that her final send-off would not be a lonely one.

When they discovered she had died and was being given a “pauper’s funeral”, they rallied round to give her the goodbye she deserved.

Affectionately known as “Muggy”, Margaret was a familiar face at a Dundee retirement complex.

And — determined to honour her memory — dozens of tenants turned out at the graveside to sing at her final resting place.

The 72-year-old died on November 4 at her home in Ballindean Place.

Her death is thought to have been caused by a stroke.

Although she was a tenant of Dundee City Council, Margaret — who had no family and had learning difficulties — spent much of her time in the Bield Retirement Housing complex in Ballindean Place.

Some of the residents there claim they were “left in the dark” about her death and subsequent arrangements.

Joan Lawson, a tenant of Bield’s for 10 years, said she has been left “heartbroken” by the way the funeral was handled.

She said: “There was no way our residents would have seen her buried like that with no one there.”

Friends of Margaret found out on Tuesday that she was to be buried at Birkhill Cemetery yesterday in a national assistance or “pauper’s” funeral.

Dundee City Council pay to bury funeral someone when there are no arrangements for a burial or cremation when someone dies.

Up until January this year, the authority had paid to bury 58 people since 2012. None of those was l eft in an unmarked grave.

However, Joan said the residents would have “easily” raised any funds needed for a funeral and headstone.

Joan said: “Margaret felt like family to me. I would have her round every Christmas Day — she was a legend here.

“We told the council we were willing to pay any costs for the funeral.

“There are 50 tenants here who were more than willing to pay £100 and some would have paid more.

“So we would have raised £5,000 in a day if it was needed. “Everybody loved Margaret.” Joan’s daughter Charmaine Lawson said Margaret was like an auntie to her.

Charmaine said she also tried, but failed, to get information about

Inset: The burial area. Main: Mourners at the ceremony.