Copenhagen cemetery removes personal decorations from 47 children’s graves without warning

Parents in Copenhagen were left in shock after cemetery staff cleared personal decorations from 47 children’s graves at Assistens Cemetery, including toys, flowers, and handmade items, DR reports.

Jon Larsen, who lost his son Albert seven days after birth in 2016, arrived at the grave on Saturday to find all personal items—Lego plants, Easter decorations, and a photo of Albert—removed, leaving only the headstone. “I saw another couple crying, and I was in shock myself,” he said. “Everything was just gone, and I had no idea what happened to it.”

Sandra Vlachakis, who lost her daughter Sonja in 2025 after five days, also found her grave stripped of personal items. She had received a digital notice in late March warning that decorations would be cleared by April 10 if not removed, but when she visited on April 11, everything was gone. “I thought I had done what I was supposed to,” she said. “It’s my way of surviving—to bring her things I’ve made.”

Larsen, who has paid for the grave for 10 years, said he received no warning and that the cemetery had previously assured parents that children’s graves would be exempt from such clearances. “This happened overnight, with no dialogue or chance for us to remove our things ourselves,” he said.

Both parents were initially told that children’s graves would allow more personal items than standard plots. “We were promised that because these are children’s graves, we could place things on the fence and around the site,” Larsen said.

Copenhagen Municipality, which oversees the cemetery, has not explained why the clearances occurred. Larsen suspects cost-cutting, as staff previously moved items before mowing and then returned them. “This takes longer, so maybe they’re saving money by not doing that anymore,” he said.

The incident has left parents questioning whether to relocate their children’s remains. “It’s incredibly difficult to have him here when we can’t do the things we’ve done for 10 years,” Larsen said. Vlachakis added, “I’ve really struggled to come here now.”

Cultural Affairs Mayor Christopher Røhl (Conservative Party) called the situation “completely wrong” and has ordered a review of the rules. “This is about parents who have suffered the greatest loss imaginable. If our rules stand in the way of their grief, they should be changed,” he said in a written statement.