For Leon Brummer, the Wall of Remembrance at Alberton Cemetery is more than just a memorial. It is where he and his family have honoured his late father for about 24 years.

Brummer says he was left hurt and disappointed after receiving a telephone call from a cemetery official informing him that decorative flowerpots attached to the wall do not comply with City by-laws.

A phone call that came as a shock

Brummer said he received the call from a cemetery official on June 22.

“I was informed that the cemetery intends to remove all decorative attachments from the Wall of Remembrance without issuing any formal written notice,” he said.

According to Brummer, his family recently replaced the old flowerpots with new ones ahead of what would have been his father’s 88th birthday on June 15.

“We have lovingly placed small flowerpots next to his plaque for years, taking care to drill into the cement without damaging the memorial. It is disheartening to hear that after more than two decades, the flowerpots are suddenly an issue.”

Brummer said he was told the matter related to cemetery regulations but was not given a deadline to remove the items.

He added that he has not received any written notice, email or letter from the city.

Honouring loved ones

Brummer believes the decorative items are a meaningful way for families to remember those they have lost.

“Placing decorative features is not just about remembering our loved ones. It also brightens the overall aesthetics of the memorial wall, which is not being maintained to the standard we would expect.”

He said his family regularly removes weeds and cleans the area whenever they visit the cemetery.

Brummer also noted that many other memorial plaques on the Wall of Remembrance feature decorative items.

Although he has raised the matter with ward councillors, he said he is still awaiting a response.

City cites cemetery by-laws

Responding to questions from the Alberton Record, the City of Ekurhuleni said it has not instructed the removal of decorative items from the Wall of Remembrance.

However, the city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Cemetery and Crematorium By-laws require flower holders to be attached only to the memorial plaque and not to the wall itself.

According to the city, no one is permitted to drill into the Wall of Remembrance to install decorative items.

Dlamini said the by-laws have been in effect since April 25, 2007.

Regarding communication with families, the city said visitors are informed verbally upon visiting the cemetery and that families should comply with the bylaws to avoid any action.

The city also confirmed that no decorative flower holders have been removed.

“Most families have complied with the City’s by-laws,” Dlamini said.

In response to concerns about the condition of the cemetery, Dlamini said the area surrounding the Wall of Remembrance is maintained monthly.

Alberton Record visited the cemetery on July 1 and found a City of Ekurhuleni worker cutting grass around the Wall of Remembrance.