The recent Fermanagh District Council dictat to relatives of those buried in Cross Cemetery on the Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen against placing surrounds and memorabilia on graves has led to a relatives' meeting in the Townhall in Enniskillen tomorrow night.

The Council's Technical Services department is insisting on a surround-free grave for ease of grass cutting maintenance.

However, this week, some Councillors relayed complaints they had received from upset constituents. Pat Cox was one of them.

"There are a lot of people out there who are not in agreement with our decision with regard to the number of items left on graves, and this is causing a lot of tension."

He noted that a meeting had been arranged and asked who could attend. Rodney Connor, the chief executive stressed that it was not a public meeting.

"It's a meeting requested by the relatives of people buried in Cross Cemetery. Hopefully, we will be able to discuss the situation with them directly."

Patricia Rogers said people had been on to her and told her they were unsure and unclear about the Council's policy on graves. Earlier, Mr Connor had insisted there was a clear policy in operation in Cross Cemetery.

Mrs Rogers said she looked forward to hearing the answers at Thursday night's meeting which Councillors would be able to consider at next week's meeting of its Environmental Services Committee.

Bert Johnston, the chairman of the Committee, reported that he too had been approached on the matter, and he referred to one e-mail he had received which claimed there was not a public notice in Cross Cemetery displaying the Council by-laws. But, he said he was happy to leave things to this week's meeting.

Tom Elliott then queried if the meeting was for relatives only, and was told by Mr Connor that it as not a public meeting: "It's a meeting requested by relatives who have people buried in Cross Cemetery."

Bernice Swift suggested that all undertakers in the county should be informed and made fully aware of the Council's policy at Cross Cemetery, thereby enabling them to properly explain the same to bereaved families.