Mourning parents BANNED from giving baby son Tigger headstone – because it's 20cm too big

DEVASTATED parents have been banned from erecting a Tigger headstone on their toddler’s grave – because the figure’s foot sticks out 20cm too far.

TiggerCaters

Devastated Kelly Smith wanted a Tigger headstone for her son Brooklyn

Brooklyn Raspin, who suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, died at Hull Royal Infirmary on February 24, just before his second birthday.

His parents, Kelly Smith and Gareth Raspin, had him buried at Northern Cemetery, Hull.

However, they have been left heartbroken by the council's decision to refuse permission for their chosen 3D headstone - because it is 20cm too big.

Miss Smith, 31, said the family picked the £3,350 headstone because of her son’s love for the popular Winnie the Pooh character.

She added: "We've been told Tigger's foot sticks out too far but it's not like we're asking for a full-sized tiger.

"Brooklyn was always dressed in Tigger clothes. He loved Tigger.

"We were looking through a brochure and the Tigger headstone immediately jumped out at us."

She said her other children Kian, six and Casey, four, said Brooklyn would have loved it and call his grave “Brooklyn’s special place”.

The distraught mother was told she needed a permit so visited Northern Cemetery where the manager took a week to get back to them.

The family were then told the measurements meet health and safety regulations but the dimensions mean Tigger’s foot would come out 20cm too far.

TiggerCaters

The Tigger headstone sticks out 20cm too far, says Hull Council

He went through hell and back and now, after losing him, we're having to fight again

Kelly Smith

Miss Smith added: "Straight away I went out and counted ten headstones in ten minutes that were the same size as the Tigger headstone we wanted for Brooklyn.".

Miss Smith is appealing the council’s decision and added that although she understands there are rules, the headstone “isn’t in your face”.

She said: “"It's just a nice tribute befitting a little boy who fought and fought and fought.

"We had to fight to get him what he needed. We never settled for second best.

"He went through hell and back and now, after losing him, we're having to fight again.

"We hope the council will show they have a heart."

Hull Council said: "We understand this is an extremely distressing time for Miss Smith and we offer our deepest sympathy to her and her family.

"We have guidelines in place for memorials in our cemeteries which have been drawn up in line with national recommendations and are there to ensure consideration to all visitors to the cemeteries." 

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