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VIP pass, priced between £5.50 (Rs 532) and £11 (Rs 1,064), will grant visitors extended access to the cemetery.
To offer tributes at the Garden of Remembrance cemetery, people will need to purchase a VIP pass.
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, the administration of a cemetery in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, introduced a controversial rule that charges people for access to visit the graves of their loved ones. Under the new policy, those wishing to mourn or offer tributes at the “Garden of Remembrance” cemetery will need to purchase a VIP pass, or risk being restricted to limited visiting hours.
The new regulations, set to take effect in January 2025, drew heavy criticism from local residents, who were appalled by the idea of charging people just to mourn. According to reports from the New York Post, the cemetery’s management has decided to install an electric gate, which will only open during designated hours, and only for those who have the required VIP pass.
The pass, priced between £5.50 (Rs 532) and £11 (Rs 1,064), will grant visitors extended access to various areas within the cemetery. For those without a pass, entry will be restricted to weekdays between 9 AM and 3 PM. On weekends, public holidays, or outside of office hours, only pass holders will be allowed to enter the premises.
The administration claimed that the new rules were being implemented to ensure the safety and security of cemetery staff, mourners, and others using the site. However, critics argued that this policy was a stark example of profiteering in a time of grief and was completely insensitive to the emotional needs of individuals mourning the loss of a loved one.
An official notice posted outside the cemetery outlined the upcoming changes, emphasising that entry to the site will be strictly controlled through the electric gate, which will operate automatically according to a scheduled timetable. The introduction of this system is intended to prevent overcrowding and protect both the staff working at the cemetery and the families who visit.
While the cemetery’s management defended the move as a necessary measure for security and efficiency, many local residents and visitors questioned whether it was right to impose such rules on those who were simply trying to pay their respects.
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United Kingdom (UK)