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The burial service for mum Edna Jean Hunt had just ended when son Richard claimed two men in orange workwear waited just six or seven yards away from him as the family paid their respects and said their final goodbyes. Mr Hunt told Staffordshire Live the two men were “chatting away” and one even started to “hum a tune” leaving the family angry and upset. 

As I remained looking into my parents’ grave, trying to remain composed, the same man started humming a tune, clearly to gain my attention. I looked at him. He looked at his watch again.

Richard Hunt, Edna’s son

Mr Hunt said: “I resented their presence, which was very close. I felt distressed and intimidated.

“I began to move slowly and reluctantly away from the grave. Without any hint of asking if it was in order, they quickly stepped forward and began to fill in the grave.”

He has now complained to authorities, after the burial at Uttoxeter Cemetery in Staffordshire. 

The workers are employed by a contracts team hired by Uttoxeter Town Council to maintain the cemetery.

In response to Mr Hunt’s complaint, the contractor has launched an internal investigation and both workers were interviewed about what happened during the incident.

The contractors told Mr Hunt in an email seen by Staffordshire Live that its employees “are trained and instructed to act sympathetically and respectfully to the occasion and mourners”.

But Mr Hunt says he wants to know what action will be taken to stop anything like this happening again.

The incident happened in December following the funeral service at St Mary the Virgin Church, in Uttoxeter, for Mrs Hunt who died at the age of 86.

She and husband John had retired in Uttoxeter several years ago after living and working in the Black Country.

The family were burying their mother in the same grave as their father.

He said when the family arrived at the graveside they noticed a white flat-bed truck parked in the small parking area close to the opened grave.

Mr Hunt continued: “This vehicle occupied a couple of spaces, which meant that two of our relatives’ cars had to park on the grass.

“I parked next to it and got out of my vehicle. I saw that the lorry contained two men in orange work wear. They were looking at mobile phones and were smiling and laughing. They looked at me.

“I looked up and l could see they were impatient. I felt very uneasy.

“At the same time, the two cars parked on the grass, were having difficulty on the slippery surface. The workers were watching the mourners struggling to push the cars out of the muddy grass. One fell over and finished face down in the mud; his suit ruined.”

He continued: “The two men chatted as they looked on. I asked if their lorry had a tow bar and if they could help. One of them replied, in a dismissive tone, It has, but I need to be elsewhere, mate’. He looked at his wristwatch.

“As I remained looking into my parents’ grave, trying to remain composed, the same man started humming a tune, clearly to gain my attention. I looked at him. He looked at his watch again.

“I could not remain there any longer. I drove away, extremely distressed.”

Mr Hunt has received replies from both the town council and the contractors.

In its reply Uttoxeter Town Council wrote: “We would like to assure you that the contractor took the complaint extremely seriously and subsequently launched an immediate internal investigation into the issues raised.

“Both employees have been individually interviewed and challenged on the allegations and furthermore the interviews have been duly noted on their personnel files.

“The contracts manager did add that this was extremely out of character for both individuals and no previous complaints of this nature have been received during their employment.”

A town council spokesman later added: “I wish to confirm that the council and its working committee who are responsible for Uttoxeter Cemetery are dealing with the complaint received and are liaising with both Mr Hunt and the council’s contractors accordingly.”

Staffordshire Live is still awaiting a response from the contractor but the firm, which has offices in Burton, said in its email to Mr Hunt: “During the internment, our operatives have to be reasonably close to the service so that they are on hand to respond quickly should their services be required.

“We note your comments about our operatives looking at their mobile phones as you exited your car near their vehicle. I can confirm that all operatives involved in burial services are trained and instructed to act sympathetically and respectfully to the occasion and mourners.

“We will ensure that all cemetery operatives are reminded to be mindful of their conduct in cemeteries and how it may be perceived by mourners.

“As is usual during an internment, our operatives approached the grave only upon instruction from the town council cemetery manager.

“Our operatives confirm that they were asked if they could assist in towing a car that had become stuck in the wet ground and that they explained that they couldn’t assist because the position of the car meant it would have been pulled sideways into a bollard.

“We are surprised to receive a complaint involving these particular two operatives who both have a pleasant disposition, are well respected and highly thought of by colleagues, clients and management alike. One of them in particular has been involved in cemetery services for the past 10 years and this is the very first complaint received.”

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