Tragic teenager's funeral distress as new grave is dug in front of mourners

3:50pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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HAVERING Council have denied the claims made in a national newspaper today that staff at the Cortbett's Tey Crematorium forgot to dig the grave of Thurrock A13 crash victim, Georgia Hammond, making her family wait two hours to bury her.

In the report, a member of Georgia's family says that when they turned up at the cemetery in Upminster there was no grave for Georgia, and they could only look on as grave diggers dug out her final resting place in front of them.

Georgia, 18, from Aveley, was killed on February 10 along with friend Katie Johnson, 19, also from Thurrock, after their silver Renault Clio struck a lamppost on the off-slip road at the Stifford interchange in the early hours.

More than 200 heartfelt tributes to the popular teenagers were posted on the Gazette's website in the days following their death, and over 400 people turned up to pay their respects to Georgia on the day of her funeral.

Speaking to the national paper an unnamed family friend said: "It's bad enough that Georgia's parents had to bury their daughter, but to have to stand around and watching while someone digs out her grave - well that is just incredible.

"It needs highlighting how incompetent the crematorium was, the family feel really let down at what is a very difficult time in their lives."

However, Havering Council say that Georgia's family came to the cemetery shortly after her death and chose the plot where they wanted their daughter to be buried, but when the paperwork for the burial was sent in a few weeks later this information was not on there so a grave was prepared elsewhere following the normal procedure.

The council also maintain that when the funeral cortege arrived for the burial and cemetery staff were made aware that the family wanted Georgia burried in another part of the cemetery, they dug a new grave within 45 minutes, not two hours.

The Council says that they have received a letter from the funeral director praising the cemetery staff's speed and professionalism in dealing with the situation.

Spokesperson for Havering Council, Joe Agius said: "We were initially asked to prepare a new grave, which we did before the funeral. A requested alternative was prepared in 45 minutes to minimise any further distress to Georgia's family and friends.

"Again, we would express our regret to Georgia's family and friends for any additional upset that may have been caused."