Copenhagen municipality apologises for removing decorations from children’s graves

Copenhagen Municipality has apologised after removing personal decorations from 47 children’s graves at Assistens Cemetery last week, acknowledging the action was “insensitive and inappropriate,” reports DR Nyheder.

In a written statement, the municipality admitted the April 10 clearance failed to follow standard practice and lacked proper notification to affected families. “The communication to the bereaved was insufficient,” the statement read, adding that while official rules prohibit placing objects around headstones, a longstanding informal policy had allowed exceptions for children’s graves.

Sandra Vlachakis, whose daughter Sonja died five days after birth in May 2025, welcomed the apology but called it “long overdue.” She and other parents had decorations and drawings removed from their children’s graves. “I’m relieved we can decorate our children’s graves again,” she told DR Nyheder, though she remains concerned without formal rule changes. “As long as it’s not written into the rules, I don’t feel secure it won’t happen again.”

The municipality confirmed not all parents were notified before the clearance—a “clear mistake” they regret. Culture and Leisure Mayor Christopher Røhl (R) has invited affected families to discuss improving conditions for children’s graves and has tasked administrators with reviewing the rules. “The cemetery should above all be a place of care. If our rules hinder that, they should be changed,” he stated.