Family furious after groundsmen run over grave with digger

The grave in Woodingdean Lawn Memorial Park was desecrated as a nearby plot was dug up.

The spoilt memorial was that of father Steven Kedian, who died aged 53.

His shocked relatives spoke of their anger at the damage, which happened on Friday and, they say, also affected other graves.

Son James Kedian, 24, said: “We were absolutely disgusted to find his grave in a shocking condition.

“All the little plants around the outside had been ripped out of the ground, the grave had sunk where their tractor had driven over it and the name plaque has been snapped in half.

“We take a lot of pride in painting our father’s grave and we are devastated that it has been left in this mess.”

Mr Kedian, who lives in Woodingdean, said the family had spoken to someone who saw the groundsmen and was “screaming at them” to stop.

Tyre marks could be seen across the grass and before and after pictures showed the extent of the damage.

The land above Mr Kedian’s resting place has sunk and has been filled in with chalk.

His son said: “By looking at the pictures of the track marks, they have driven over five or six other graves

“I just want the council to make sure that, in future, they take more care of people’s graves – it’s completely disrespectful and embarrassing. We go there to pay our respects and don’t expect half a tonne of chalk dumped and plants ripped out by the roots and stuck on the top.”

The burial ground, which overlooks the sea and the South Downs in Woodingdean, is run by Brighton and Hove City Council.

A council spokesman said: “We’re very sorry to see what has happened to the grave at the Lawn Memorial Cemetery and realise this must have been very upsetting for the gentleman and his family.

“Due to the nature of the cemetery, there are times when we need to dig a grave close to others and this can sometimes lead to damage caused by heavy machinery around the grave site.”

“A letter explaining this and items that should and shouldn’t be placed on graves was sent to the man in December 2019.

“We are currently reviewing the way we maintain graves on this site and would like to apologise again for the distress this has caused.”