Wednesfield mother wins battle to show tragic baby's photo on gravestone
The picture of a stillborn baby will be fitted to his gravestone after more than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for cemetery officials to allow it.
Amy Hopson and Warren Hobbs wanted to put a photograph of their son Archie on the memorial in Willenhall Lawn Cemetery, but were initially told by bosses it would not be allowed.
Walsall Council said the photograph of the baby, who was stillborn at New Cross Hospital in December 2013, would upset visiting mourners.
Staff said that if an image of the baby was added it should be covered up most of the time, and suggested that a small hinged door be attached so the family could see the picture when they visit.
But after the petition against the decision attracted 1,077 signatures the council had a change of heart and sent a letter of apology to the couple for the distress caused.
Miss Hopson, aged 26, of Castlebridge Gardens, Wednesfield, said the decision was a victory for common sense.
She said: "I had a phone call from someone at the council who apologised to us, and said that we could proceed. Then we had a letter to confirm that we were being allowed to install Archie's photo.
"They initially told us that it would upset other mourners, but I said other mourners are not going to mourn our baby.
"We're mourning him, it's for our benefit and he is in the memorial area set aside for babies."
She said Archie's photograph looks like a baby sleeping and having spoken to other parents said no-one else found it distressing. It is the only picture they have of him.
Miss Hopson, who has a son Joseph, four, and her partner Warren, 25, are expecting a baby that is due later this year.
She explained that they chose to bury him at the lawn cemetery because her late grandparents Ivy and Brian Hopson, who lived in Rose Hill, Willenhall, were laid to rest at the site, in Bentley Lane, Short Heath.
She added: "I wanted to say a big thank you to everybody who signed the petition. We had a lot of support from staff at Sainsbury's in Wednesfield where my mum Joanne works. Everyone's been brilliant."
Walsall Council has confirmed that the family is now being allowed to add his photo to the headstone.
