TV favourite Paul O’Grady’s grave still has no headstone due to red tape — 18 months after his death
TV favourite Paul O’Grady’s grave still has no headstone — 18 months after his death.
The resting place of the star, who died last year aged 67, is marked only by a pair of wooden crosses and some ornaments.
Pal Sue Lanbourn, 74, added: “It needs a proper headstone, even something simple like an engraving of Paul’s dog Buster.”
Plans for a memorial in St Rumwold’s Churchyard in Bonnington, Kent, have been submitted but are tied up in red tape.
Paul’s former agent Joan Marshrons said: “It is unfortunately a lengthy process.
“Rest assured as soon as it comes through a fitting memorial headstone will be in place.”
The Diocese of Canterbury, which manages the churchyard, said it is waiting on the ecclesiastical court to grant a permit to put up a memorial because it is consecrated land.
A spokesperson said: “A petition was sent to the Commissary Court for a faculty for a memorial to the late Paul O’Grady in June 2024.
“The petition for the memorial in St Rumwold’s Churchyard is in the process of being assessed by the relevant authorities, which is the case for any faculty petition.
“The faculty process is a legal process, independent of the church locally.
“The decision making for this memorial is within the usual time frame for any such application.”