UPDATE: Jan 2026- The council have just voted to formally reduce a child’s grave from 6ft to 60cm (if buried in the adult section- which Lottie is as her parents would like to be reunited with her one day)

Her parents are now awaiting a letter to confirm they need to remove their ornaments and precious items.

Brackley Town Council has made the decision to reduce a child’s grave from six feet to 60 centimetres, despite the grave being located within an adult plot chosen so that her parents could one day be buried alongside her.

This decision has caused significant distress to the family, who made their original arrangements with the clear intention of remaining together . The reduction of the grave size undermines that intention and has compounded an already painful situation.

The family is seeking compassion, understanding, and a reconsideration of this decision.

At the time of extreme trauma , Lotties parents were not advised that a child’s plot would be given different rules due to being in an adult area.

Her current grave is a place to celebrate her life and for family and friends to place ornaments and to show their love to her.

Children’s plots are 3 foot but this is not adhered to if a child is buried in an adult plot.

Lottie was just 7 years old, and her parents were going through deep trauma and were not told by Brackley Council that there would be any restrictions on decorating her grave.

This is causing deep trauma and limbo for the last 12 months and inconsistencies from the council have exacerbated an already unbearable time of grief. There has been a lack of clarity and consistency to a grieving family, with no sensitive discussion to what a child’s grave in an adult plot would entail.

Please help by signing this petition so that all children are treated the same no matter where they are buried.

The family live with constant worry that one day on their daily visit that her precious items will be removed by the council.

Original Petition Statement Feb 2025-

A family in mourning, Jason, Gemma, Amy, and Jacob have experienced an unimaginable loss - the death of little Lottie. Lottie's grave, cherished by her family, is more than just a final resting place; it is a space to find peace, comfort and to celebrate Lottie's memory in their own special way. The grave decorations are an expression of their love and grief, a way to cope with such a devastating loss.

Yet, Brackley Council has threatened to shatter this sanctuary. They have issued a notice giving the family one month to remove all decorations from Lottie's grave, citing disturbance of peace and anonymous complaints. How could anyone find a grieving family's symbol of love and remembrance to be a disturbance?

We find this directive deeply inhumane and insensitive, punishing a grieving family who are merely trying to cope with their loss in their own way. It's a cruel irony that the council, whose purpose should be to serve the community, is causing such distress to its constituents in their time of profound loss.

We demand that Brackley Council reverse this decision, apologise and allow Lottie's family to mourn in peace and preserve their memorial as they see fit. The love they show in remembering Lottie does not disturb the peace; it speaks loudly of a shared loss and the power of community support and understanding.

Please sign this petition to request Brackley Council to invalidate this decision and respect the quiet dignity of memorials and shared mourning. Show your solidarity to the grieving family, and let's ensure no family has to endure such insensitivity when mourning their loved ones.