SHOULD this grieving mother be allowed this princess castle headstone on her daughter's grave?
That is the question being asked today after North East Lincolnshire Council has said the original design she wants, which has pointed edges, is not acceptable.
The rules state that every memorial must be in keeping with others at Scartho Cemetery.
While NELC disputes the initial design is a health and safety issue, they say it will be more acceptable if the turrets are flat or rounded.
Laura Taylor, 27, has launched an online petition, called Let Grace Have Her Princess Castle Headstone, which so far has more than 1,000 signatures.
Her six-month-old daughter, Grace Isabel Taylor, died on August 21 last year, as reported.
Unbeknown to medics, a rare neuromuscular condition affecting nerve cells in the spinal cord, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), took over Grace's body while still in the womb.
The disease strikes only one in 6,000 babies, and cells affected are those that enable walking, crawling, arm and hand movement, head and neck movement and swallowing.
Laura and her partner Paul Taylor, 37, of St Nicholas Drive, Grimsby, say it hurts enough to lose a child, but to have the hassle of changing their ideal headstone breaks their hearts all over again.
Laura said: "I don't see what the problem is because there are other headstones in the cemetery which have pointed edges.
"We were both set on the design and shape of the headstone before we even buried Grace, so to now have this taken away from us is awful.
"I was told by the council that the original design was a health and safety risk if anyone falls on it, but why would other people be near Grace's grave?
"We are now in talks and working with stonemakers who are drawing up new plans.
"I cannot say if I like them yet or would want it any different for Grace's grave."
Paul said: "We paid for the plot, which means we own that land.
"Please help us fight this and get our girl what she deserves – the best!"
A spokesman for the council said: "We have been in touch with Mrs Taylor about this very sensitive matter and have made suggestions about how a compromise can be reached for the design of the headstone.
"Memorials need to be in line with the cemetery regulations.
"The castle design and colouring is perfectly acceptable but it must have flat or rounded turrets."
THE GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH EDITOR SAYSPeople express their grief in many different ways. Some will want to take quiet comfort with family and friends for help and support, while others wish to put on a public show of affection for those loved ones lost. It is not for any one to say the other is right or wrong – in such circumstances people must be allowed to select their own way to grieve. In the case of our family today, they wish to pay tribute to their little girl with an ornate headstone at the site of her grave. Is this the right thing to do? The jury really is out! Is it too much? Should any local authority be so concerned about possible health and safety regulations? This is a real talking point. What to do think viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.ukFollow the editor on Twitter @michellelalorView the petition