My father was cremated following his death, and my mother arranged his cremation and memorial plaque.
I am the eldest of his three daughters. I am now estranged from my mother, but I remained my father’s daughter and he was also the grandfather of my son.
My mother arranged for the memorial plaque to say words to the effect of “Loving father to B and C,” naming my two sisters, but deliberately omitted my name. My son, his grandson, was also omitted.
I would like to know what legal rights, if any, I have in Victoria regarding my father’s memorial plaque.
In particular:
• As his biological daughter, do I have any legal standing to request that the plaque be amended so that it accurately acknowledges all three of his daughters?
• Does the person who arranged or paid for the cremation/memorial have the sole legal right to determine the wording of the plaque?
• Can a cemetery or crematorium amend a memorial inscription at the request of another immediate family member, particularly where the existing wording could give the impression that the deceased had only two daughters?
• If my mother refuses to consent to an amendment, is there any legal process available to me to have the matter reviewed or resolved?
• If I cannot alter the existing plaque, do I have any right to arrange a separate memorial or plaque for my father that acknowledges my relationship with him and his relationship with my son?
I am not seeking to interfere with my father’s ashes or disturb his remains. I simply want to understand whether I have any legal avenue to have my relationship with my father appropriately acknowledged on his memorial.
Could you please advise which area of Victorian law governs this situation and where I should seek assistance?
I am the eldest of his three daughters. I am now estranged from my mother, but I remained my father’s daughter and he was also the grandfather of my son.
My mother arranged for the memorial plaque to say words to the effect of “Loving father to B and C,” naming my two sisters, but deliberately omitted my name. My son, his grandson, was also omitted.
I would like to know what legal rights, if any, I have in Victoria regarding my father’s memorial plaque.
In particular:
• As his biological daughter, do I have any legal standing to request that the plaque be amended so that it accurately acknowledges all three of his daughters?
• Does the person who arranged or paid for the cremation/memorial have the sole legal right to determine the wording of the plaque?
• Can a cemetery or crematorium amend a memorial inscription at the request of another immediate family member, particularly where the existing wording could give the impression that the deceased had only two daughters?
• If my mother refuses to consent to an amendment, is there any legal process available to me to have the matter reviewed or resolved?
• If I cannot alter the existing plaque, do I have any right to arrange a separate memorial or plaque for my father that acknowledges my relationship with him and his relationship with my son?
I am not seeking to interfere with my father’s ashes or disturb his remains. I simply want to understand whether I have any legal avenue to have my relationship with my father appropriately acknowledged on his memorial.
Could you please advise which area of Victorian law governs this situation and where I should seek assistance?
