A burial ground has admitted it made a mistake by denying a son the plot next to his mother, despite it being paid for.

Westmill Woodland Burial Ground staff accepted reservations in March for a space for Craig Symons, 35 and his father, 77, next to his mum, in keeping with her wishes.

But the natural burial ground then tried to return his deposit, saying he could not be buried there, leaving Craig facing being buried alone. 

Westmill has since apologised, describing it on an administrative error. 

Craig, 35, said: “I am not going to deny I am an absolute mum’s boy and was the closest person to my mum. I looked after my mum for the last two years of her terminal illness. 

“It’s everything that we are buried together”.

When Craig’s mum passed away, his dad and later Craig himself reserved spots next to her grave.

But Westmill then tried to return the money to Craig, saying a policy change meant that they would no longer be able to guarantee spots for the next-generation burials, children of people already buried.

This meant that Craig would have to be buried alone, away from his family.

Craig said: “My mum passed knowing that we would all be together. My mum really wanted this for me, and I want to be with my mum.”The entrance to Westmill Woodland Burial Ground, near Watchfield Credit: Thomas KelseyIn August they sent him a letter that they would be posting his money back in the post, as he refused to collect it.

Meanwhile, Craig could not move his mum to a new spot because Craig was told the burial ground owned her body.

He said: “If I can’t be buried there then I don't want someone else to put their family member there and find out they get in the same situation.”

Westmill were denying Craig a spot on the understanding that his reservation had come in while the policy on next-generation reservations was under review.

But on August 22, they found that Craig’s father had been issued an invoice, which they admit amounted to an “assurance” of the plot next to his mum for Craig.

The invoice had been issued by the burial ground manager, who was unaware that its policy on next-generation burials was under review.

Westmill’s director, Liz Rothschild, said: “We as directors, who didn't know anything about this invoice, have now got to hold our hands up and apologize unreservedly because the situation is completely different from the one we thought we were in.Liz Rothschild, pictured for the Advertiser in 2017, director of Westmill Woodland Burial Ground Credit: Thomas Kelsey

She said the money will be returned along with the guarantee of the plot. She said: “We completely understand that this whole process has been really painful for them.

The policy was under review because Westmill realised that it would run out of space in around five years and would not have the space to bury next-generation relations, who could be buried in decades.

Westmill will still satisfy existing reservations by children of people buried. When Craig is buried, the land will be managed by a new custodian, such as the Woodland Trust or parish council.

The burial ground intends to inform Craig of their error. Liz said that nothing like this has happened before.

She said: “We're deeply distressed because we pride ourselves at Westmill on really caring for our friends and family groups.”

While Craig is relieved at the “amazing” outcome, he is still “upset” by the whole situation.

He said: “The whole situation has not only been stressful, it’s been uncomfortable - thinking I might not be buried there. Hearing the news is upsetting. But in a good way.”