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Fr. John Walsh of Buncrana has advised people to get approval from their parish before settling on a gravestone design with sculptors.
According to the Irish Times, Fr. Walsh said the parish "can't be having headstones in the shape of transit vans and all sorts".
The rules governing local cemeteries have been revised because of pressure on space and to allow new minimalist American style lawn graves.
In 2008, local councilor Joe O'Callaghan moved to have a 15-foot tall headstone removed from St Catherine's Cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork. The demand was rejected by the Traveller family at the centre of the dispute. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Breda Kiely argued, "It has a horseshoe on it and horses and it represents everything my dad loved. It is a work of art, it is beautiful. It is unique and it stands out just like the Travelling community".
Extravagant gravestones have not just been a source of debate and disagreement in Ireland. In October, one Ohio family erected two giant Spongebob Squarepants monuments in memory of the murdered Sgt. Kimberly Walker. The cemetery removed the €18,800 statues, although the family maintained they had received the proper permission before erecting them.
Should cemeteries have strict restrictions on the size and type of gravestones allowed? Should families have the right to personalise gravestones as long as they remain within the realms of reason and decency? Do you agree with Fr. Walsh that people should seek approval from their parish before finalising headstone design? Vote in our poll and leave your comments below.
