WHEN George Ellis died, his widow and family interred his ashes in his father’s grave.

However, Mrs Ellis came to regret this decision and told her sons and daughters it was her wish that when she passed away, her husband’s ashes should be exhumed and brought to her final resting place so that they could again be united as they were during more than 50 years of marriage.

Sadly, her dying wish has not been granted, and unless there is a change of heart by senior Church figures, it never will be.

Charles George, chancellor of the Diocese of Southwark and a judge of the Church of England’s Consistory Court, has ruled that what many people would see as a strong and compelling case for Mr Ellis’ family to be allowed to move his ashes is not good enough.

Mr George says: “This conclusion will inevitably appear unsympathetic, and there will be many who consider that George Ellis’ children should have the right to make decisions such as this for themselves. That is not, however, as the law stands, and I do not retain a general residual discretion.”

The Gazette hopes that the powers-that-be will take another look at this case, because the current ruling is surely unsympathetic and unfair.

Creating a precedent is always a cause for concern. However, allowing the children of George and Rene Ellis to reunite their parents in death will not give carte blanche for people to move final remains without good cause.

In this instance, it just clearly seems to be the humane and right thing to do.