Mom Visits 4-Year-Old Son’s Grave, Sees the Headstone Dedicated to His Birthday Has Disappeared

A mother saved up thousands of dollars to arrange a custom headstone for her late son. However, one day when she visited the graveyard, the stone had disappeared. The question is, what happened to it? The reason upset thousands of people. 

Losing a child is one of the most heartwrenching experiences any parent can face. The absence of their missing loved ones is felt every day, but they do their best to carry on.  

Grieving moms and dads find comfort when visiting the places where their children were laid to rest. However, one parent was devastated by what happened to her child’s headstone. 

Jo Corbett-Weeks holding a photo of her late son, Maximus. | Source: dailymotion.com/SWNS

THE STONE WAS PERFECT FOR HER LITTLE CHAP

When he was only four years old, Jo Corbett-Weeks bid farewell to her son, Maximus Corbett-Gardener. His passing left her heartbroken, and the Malvern, England, mom did something special to commemorate his birthday in 2015. 

The 42-year-old mother spent $3,700 on a custom headstone for what would have been her son’s seventh birthday. She had saved up for the piece and was proud of its significance. 

She expressed:

“This was like a birthday present to him from me. I chose a star-shaped stone because I wanted something suitable for Max – something personal. This stone is just so perfect for my poor little chap.”

THE MOTHER WAS DEVASTATED WHEN SHE SAW THE STONE

The headstone featured a stuffed bear holding an inscribed star. The piece paid tribute to the mother’s beloved child, and she looked forward to visiting the spot in the future. However, Corbett-Weeks’s efforts were quickly demolished. 

The single mom was livid when she discovered someone had removed the significant and heartfelt headstone. She was in disbelief after learning who was responsible for the removal.

Jo Corbett-Weeks visiting her son’s grave. | Source: dailymotion.com/SWNS

THE STONE WAS REMOVED AFTER A FAMILY COMPLAINED

Corbett-Weeks revealed that Malvern Town Council got rid of the stone after three days because the star shape was “not in keeping” with the rest of the monuments in the Great Malvern Cemetery. 

It was reported that the stone memorial was removed after another family made a complaint. The single mother, a part-time bar worker, slammed the council’s decision and hoped to get the stone reinstated.  

The heartbroken mom said:

“I’m absolutely gutted and distraught [by] what they have done and feel that they have no sympathy or empathy for myself or my son. I would love the stone to be replaced to let my son rest in peace” 

HER FAMILY HAD FACED A LOT OF PAIN

Corbett-Weeks also stated that the town council didn’t inform her about their decision. Instead, the stonemason told her what had happened to the stone, and she was left feeling upset and angry. 

She shared:

“We have been through so much as a family. I could understand if the grave was uncared for or unsightly, but it isn’t.”

THE TOWN COUNCIL HOPED THEY COULD FIND A SOLUTION 

The star-shaped headstone would have been allowed in the children’s section of the cemetery, but Corbett-Weeks chose to place it on the lawn cemetery because it was closer to the rest of their deceased family members. 

The Conservative MP for West Worcestershire, Harriett Baldwin, hoped that the town council would work with compassion to find the best solution for the unfortunate situation. 

The council felt “great sympathy” for the mother’s loss. However, Corbett-Weeks decided to take action against them and started a petition, which gained thousands of names in support.  

THE MOTHER RECEIVED LOTS OF SUPPORT 

While the town council did not comment on the petition, the mother was overwhelmed by the immense support. She received petition signatures from America, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. 

The mother didn’t expect the story to gain so much traction, and she noted:

“I’ve had messages from all over the world from people telling me to stick with it because they are behind me.”

THE CEMETERY PRIORITIZED THE CONFORMITY OF SHAPES

The council hit back and stated that if the stone application had been presented in the correct time frame, they would have refused permission and prevented the initial installation of the headstone.   

A spokesperson added:

“We have a conformity of shapes in our lawn cemetery. We were contacted by people who objected to the [star] shape.”

The representative said it was a difficult decision to make but shared that they knew they needed to act quickly. Corbett-Weeks called the situation “horrible” and said she just wanted a place to grieve her child.   

THE BLAME WAS PLACED ON THE STONEMASON 

The town council stated that the stonemason acted without permission when he erected the stone, and thus another family was entitled to object. They were unhappy that the stonemason did not follow standard protocol. 

A council spokesman said:

“It wasn’t necessarily an objection to the shape but why we appeared to be applying one rule to one family and other rules to another. 

They concluded that the stonemason’s failure to act accordingly led to immense distress for both families involved. The council also had plans to meet with Corbett-Weeks in the hopes of working toward a new design for her son’s headstone.

COMMENTERS SLAMMED THE TOWN COUNCIL 

Supporters stood with the mother, signed her petition, and slammed the town council. People believed the original stone designed by Corbett-Weeks should be reerected, and others shared their disbelief regarding the family that complained. 

One user wrote:

“How a person can even be offended by a headstone is incomprehensible. Instead of telling that person to get over themselves, you ruin a child’s memorial. My condolences to this family.” 

Another commenter added: “This is the most bigoted, [and] selfish thing I’ve heard for years … I find it beyond belief that people can be so unkind.” Many others also offered their heated disapproval of the town council’s decision. What are your thoughts? 

Click here for another story about something unexpected that happened in a cemetery. One mother was stunned when she learned an older man visited her son’s grave every day—the reason behind his heartfelt actions might surprise you.    

Anomama